The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final between Argentina and England will not have referees from either nation officiating, a decision rooted in historical tensions over the Falkland Islands.

As England prepare to face Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, FIFA's long-standing 'Falklands rule' is back in focus. Here's why English referees cannot officiate Argentina matches and how a decades-old territorial dispute shaped the policy.

Even in the case of Argentina beating England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final and making the final, the English referees will be barred from officiating, because of the political sensitivities surrounding the Falklands dispute.

Follow along here for the latest World Cup results, schedule updates, highlights and news as the knockout stage continues.

FIFA does not appoint referees to matches involving their own countries to preserve neutrality. But in the case of English and Argentine officials, the restrictions go a step further.

English fans burst into celebration after England's victory over Norway in a World Cup quarter final match on Saturday. (AP Video by Sophie Bates)

It was ugly. It was exhausting. But in the end, the world champions did what they always seem to do.Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a brutal 120-minute scrap