FIFA has announced disciplinary sanctions against several Argentina players and staff members following the clashes that erupted after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, with FIFA handing the Boca Juniors midfielder a 10-match suspension and a €77,000 fine. Paredes played a central role in the post-match confrontation and notably attacked Barcelona midfielder Gavi after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat in extra time.
Nahuel Molina also received a heavy punishment, with a seven-match suspension and a €77,000 fine. FIFA handed Thiago Almada and Pablo Martín Páez one-match suspensions and €25,000 fines, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala received a three-match ban and a €25,000 fine. FIFA’s disciplinary committee therefore imposed sanctions on both players and members of Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff for their involvement in the incidents.
The Argentine Football Association must also pay a fine of around €274,000 for several breaches of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, including team misconduct, security issues and discriminatory chants or gestures from supporters. FIFA also ordered Argentina to limit attendance to 50% of stadium capacity for its next two home matches. However, FIFA suspended one of those reduced-capacity matches and €85,660 of the fine during a probationary period, with that amount earmarked for an anti-discrimination program. The parties now have 10 days to appeal the decisions.
