Gary Lineker has faced backlash after calling the Falkland Islands by their Argentinian name, ‘Malvinas,’ on the Netflix podcast The Rest Is Football.
The former Match Of The Day presenter chimed in on the controversial debate as he discussed a possible semi-final match-up between England and Argentina.
Speaking on an episode of the show, he said: ‘England could face Argentina in a semi-final, we’re getting ahead of ourselves a fraction, but so much history between our nations isn’t there?
‘It’s not that long ago our two countries were at war, with the Falklands or Malvinas, even before that?’
The England striker, who was part of the 1986 World Cup team defeated by Diego Maradona’s Hand of God, made the comment during an interview with a guest about the two nations’ historic rivalry.
But the comment about the islands, where 255 British military personnel died during the Falklands War in 1982, sparked fierce criticism on social media.
One user said that Lineker’s words were ‘very disrespectful to the Falkland veterans’.
Another user commented: ‘Any man in their right mind would never even refer to the Islands as that when his countrymen fought and died for them.’
Former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker has faced criticism online for calling the Falklands by their Argentinian name
During the Falklands War in 1982, 255 British military personnel died while fighting on the island
Lineker pictured during his controversial appearance on the ITV’s coverage of the World Cup
While a third added: ‘Many British men gave their lives for the Falkland Islands. Have some respect.’
The islands remain a sensitive subject in the UK following the conflict and continued sovereignty dispute.
Lineker’s comment came after a clip circulated online of Argentina’s squad singing their new World Cup anthem, ‘La Cuarta Estrella’ (‘The Fourth Star’), which references ‘Malvinas’ in its lyrics.
The footage, posted by the Argentine Football Association, showed players including Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero singing in the dressing room after Argentina’s controversial 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16.
During his punditry career for the BBC, Lineker presented six World Cups – and this year was meant to be his last.
But the deal collapsed after Lineker said England were ‘s**t’ following their defeat against Denmark at Euro 2024 and for re-posting an anti-Semitic rat emoji on Instagram in May 2025.
Lineker later deleted the post and apologised.
The former presenter also made a controversial appearance on ITV’s World Cup coverage from New York.
He criticised his former employers for deciding to remain holed up at Media City in Salford.
