FIFA has imposed sanctions on the Argentine Football Association (AFA), along with several Argentina players and members of the coaching staff, following disciplinary breaches during the 2026 World Cup, including the confrontation that took place after the final on July 19.
The AFA has been fined $321,000 after FIFA identified several disciplinary violations during the tournament. One of the incidents involved a banner displayed by Argentina players following their semi-final victory over England. The message read “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas”, meaning “The Falklands are Argentine”.
Argentina will also have to play its next home match in a stadium operating at only 50 per cent of its usual capacity.
FIFA has suspended an additional stadium-capacity restriction, along with $100,000 of the fine, for a probationary period. Another $100,000 from the penalty will have to be allocated towards an anti-discrimination programme.
The governing body has separately sanctioned four members of Argentina’s delegation over their involvement in the post-final confrontation. A Spanish player has also been punished in relation to the incident.
Among the Argentina players, Leandro Paredes received the most severe punishment. The midfielder has been suspended for 10 matches and fined $90,000.
Defender Nahuel Molina has been handed a seven-match suspension and an additional $90,000 fine.
Thiago Almada has been suspended for one match and fined $30,000, while assistant coach Roberto Ayala has received a three-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
PLAYER AND STAFF PUNISHMENTS
Leandro Paredes (player): 10-match suspension and $90,000 fine
Nahuel Molina (player): Seven-match suspension and $90,000 fine
Thiago Almada (player): One-match suspension and $30,000 fine
Roberto Ayala (team official): Three-match suspension and $30,000 fine
Pablo Martn Pez Gavira (player): One-match suspension and $30,000 fine
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE WORLD CUP FINAL
The celebrations after Spain’s World Cup triumph were disrupted by a heated confrontation involving Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Shortly after the final whistle, Paredes approached Spain defender Eric Garcia while the Spanish team celebrated its title win. Television footage showed the Argentine midfielder making physical contact with Garcia, leading to an angry exchange between the players.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi then intervened in an attempt to calm the situation and prevent the confrontation between Paredes and his Spain teammate from escalating.
Paredes remained visibly upset and appeared to move towards Gavi before Argentina forward Thiago Almada stepped in. Almada pushed Gavi away as he tried to stop the situation from getting worse and prevent Paredes from making further contact.
The tensions nevertheless continued to escalate, with Paredes eventually striking Gavi in the face as players from both teams became involved in the post-match altercation.
