Hands off the Falklands! No10 hits back after Argentina foreign minister ramps up tensions ahead of England's World Cup showdown

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 15:37, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 15:42, 13 July 2026 Downing Street hit back today after Argentina dragged the Falkland Islands into the looming World Cup showdown. The PM's spokesman insisted the territory's sovereignty is not up for grabs after a Buenos Aires minister branded the UK an 'occupying power'. Tensions are escalating ahead of the semi-final clash on Wednesday, with footage emerging of Argentina's players chanting about the islands and Diego Maradona's notorious 'Hand of God' goal 40 years ago.  In an essay for La Nacion newspaper, foreign minister Pablo Quirno claimed a referendum showing support for UK sovereignty was illegitimate because the population had been 'artificially implanted by the occupying power'.  The 2013 vote overwhelmingly backed staying as a British overseas territory, but Mr Quirno argued that no poll organised 'unilaterally' by the UK can have 'legal effect', instead demanding negotiations. Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'The Falkland islanders are British with a right to determine their own future.' Argentina's foreign minister Pablo Quirno has written a polemic on the Falklands days before England and his country meet A 2016 census reported that 43 per cent of the archipelago were born in the Falklands, with many descended from the Welsh and Scottish immigrants who moved to the territory shortly after British rule was asserted in 1833.  After defeating Switzerland at the weekend, the Argentina players looked ahead to the match-up with England by chanting: 'For the Malvinas, For Diego, For Leo's (Messi's) last one.' Asked about the intervention, Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'The Falkland islanders are British with a right to determine their own future. 'The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.' Argentina has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, but was defeated in a short but bloody war after mounting an invasion in 1982. Maradona described his 'Hand of God' goal as 'symbolic revenge' for the conflict.  The islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Spanish, are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina. England will face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday after the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory against Norway on Saturday night. Asked what Sir Keir made of reports about some chanting about the Falklands from Argentine fans, the official said: 'I think I think the Prime Minister's view is that football should be about the game and about bringing people together. 'That's what fans want to see.' Maradona described his 'Hand of God' goal as 'symbolic revenge' for the Falklands War In 2013, Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly that they identified as British (Stanley, the capital, pictured)