Argentina vice president calls England ‘usurping pirates’ ahead of World Cup semi-final

By Arjun Nair / 16.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina‘s Vice President Victoria Villarruel has referred to the English as “usurping pirates” in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match between the two nations. Her comments were shared in a post on X, where she stated, “We play against the usurping pirates. It’s not just another match.”

Villarruel further expressed her sentiments, saying, “I’m not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head – it’s always something more against the English.” She linked the upcoming game to historical and nationalistic themes, mentioning “It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last run, and it’s about stopping the invaders in their tracks,” referencing the late football icon Diego Maradona and current star player Lionel Messi. Her post concluded with a rallying cry, “Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!” echoing a popular chant among Argentine supporters.

The vice president’s father participated in the 1982 Falklands War, a 74-day conflict between Argentina‘s military dictatorship and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. The war concluded with a British victory, resulting in the deaths of 649 Argentines and 255 Britons. The sovereignty of these South Atlantic islands remains a contested issue.

Historical Rivalry on the Pitch

The football rivalry between Argentina and England is deeply rooted in history, politics, and past conflicts, extending across generations. This long-standing animosity is often expressed through chants by Argentine fans and players. One common chant, “Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve. El que no salta, Es un ingles!” translates to “And now you see, and now you see, whoever doesn’t jump is English.” This chant is frequently heard from the stands and is even adopted by players during victory celebrations, becoming an integral part of Argentina‘s football identity.

The upcoming semi-final in Atlanta is set to be Lionel Messi‘s first encounter against England in his international career, despite having made over 200 appearances and scored 125 goals. The Argentina Football Association has described this match as “the match fate owed Messi.” This fixture marks the return of one of football’s most intense rivalries to the World Cup stage after 24 years.

The rivalry’s intensity escalated significantly after their first World Cup meeting in 1962. A notable match occurred in the 1966 World Cup quarter-final, which England won 1-0. This game is still contentious in Argentina, with claims of a disallowed goal and the controversial sending off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattin. Following the match, England manager Alf Ramsey reportedly referred to the Argentine players as “animals.”

The 1986 World Cup quarter-final, played four years after the Falklands War, remains a defining moment in the rivalry. During this match, Diego Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal, followed by what is often called the “Goal of the Century.” Argentina ultimately won this match 2-1 and went on to lift the World Cup trophy.

Contrasting Views and Security Measures

In contrast to the vice president’s strong remarks, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players have attempted to de-emphasize the political and historical implications of the upcoming match. Scaloni stated, “It’s a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness.”

To manage potential tensions, Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva announced that under the security plan for the semi-final in Atlanta, fans will be prohibited from bringing flags or any other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium.

The last World Cup encounter between the two teams was in 2002, where England secured a 1-0 victory with a penalty converted by David Beckham.

Source: aljazeera.com