Diaspora Armenian activist Gago Ananyan displayed the flag of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) from the stands during Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on June 22 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the Artsakh cause to an international audience during one of the world’s largest and most-watched sporting events, reports Diario Armenia and A24 Argentina.
Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 behind two goals from Lionel Messi, securing its place in the tournament’s knockout stage.
“It is the flag of Artsakh, illegally occupied by Azerbaijan. At any moment, the Armenian people will return to their historic lands,” Ananyan said in an interview with Argentine television network A24 following the match.
The Artsakh flag was visible among fans during the match, alongside Argentine and Austrian flags and jerseys. Images and video of the moment later circulated on social media.
Ananyan is a member of the Agrupación Representativa de los Armenios Migrantes en Armenia (ARAMA).
Argentina is home to one of the largest Armenian communities in Latin America, with an estimated population of more than 100,000 Armenians. The community has long played an active role in preserving Armenian culture, heritage, and advocacy on issues affecting Armenians worldwide.
