FIFA announced the details of the sanctions imposed on the Argentine Football Association and its players following the incidents that occurred during the 2026 World Cup final.
FIFA decided to initiate a series of disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association, several of its players, and members of its technical staff in light of the events witnessed during the final match against Spain.
Summary of Events in the 2026 World Cup Final
The Spanish national team was crowned World Cup champions on July 19; however, the repercussions of the final did not end with the referee's whistle. FIFA continues to investigate the incidents that took place at MetLife Stadium, including the brawls that erupted after the match and certain behaviors that occurred during the tournament.
A mass brawl broke out immediately after Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić blew the final whistle of the match between Argentina and Spain. Paredes delivered an open-handed strike to the throat of Spanish defender Eric García, causing him to fall to the ground, while Molina was seen punching Spanish captain Rodri in the abdomen.
The report also accuses assistant coach Roberto Ayala of punching Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo during the altercations that followed the end of the match.
According to ESPN, FIFA's disciplinary code stipulates that a charge of assault warrants a suspension of no less than three matches.
Meanwhile, unsportsmanlike conduct requires a minimum one-match suspension, with the possibility of heightened penalties depending on the circumstances of each case.
FIFA Sanctions Against the Argentine Football Association
In a decisive development, FIFA issued crucial rulings, the first being a fine of $321,000 USD imposed on the Argentine Football Association due to violations committed during the World Cup final.
Furthermore, Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes was banned from participating in ten matches for his national team due to his involvement in a physical altercation with Spanish players.
Additionally, FIFA ruled that the Argentine Football Association must play its next two home matches with limited spectator attendance (50%).
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to allocate $100,000 USD from the $321,000 fine toward an anti-discrimination initiative.
A decision was made to suspend the enforcement of part of the penalty (one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine), subject to a probationary period monitoring the conduct of the Argentine Football Association and its national team players.
In addition, suspension penalties were issued against several individuals, including a ten-match ban and a $90,000 fine for Paredes.
Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
Moreover, Roberto Ayala (team official) was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000, while Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) was suspended for one match and fined $30,000.
