Weekly Report - 23 July 2026 (WR-26-29)

Argentina’s national team suffered a disappointing end to the Fifa World Cup on 19 July, failing to defend their title when slipping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in the final. However, inflicting defeat on England in the semi-final provided some solace. Not only did Argentina eliminate a bitter rival but its players also received US backing after holding up a fan-sourced banner proclaiming the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) to be Argentine at the end of the match. While the British government lodged a complaint, the White House officially intervened to defend the players’ right to display the banner in contravention of Fifa’s protocols, in what appeared to be a reward for the close diplomatic ties President Javier Milei has established with his US peer Donald Trump.