FIFA slaps Argentina with fines, bans over World Cup final

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Argentina's Leandro Paredes (5) knocks down Spain's Gavi (9) during scuffle after the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York. File | Photo Credit: AP

A 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes was one of several sanctions FIFA imposed ​against Argentina on Friday (August 22, 2026) for their actions ‌in last month’s World Cup final loss ​to Spain.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ⁠also fined Paredes $90,000 for sparking a post-match brawl after Spain’s 1-0 victory in extra time on ‌July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Argentina teammates Nahuel Molina (seven-match ‌suspension, $90,000 fine) and Thiago Almada (one match, $30,000) and ‌team ⁠official Roberto Ayala (three matches, $30,000) and Spain midfielder ⁠Gavi (one match, $30,000) also were disciplined.

FIFA also fined the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) $321,000 for various violations, including using a sports ​event for demonstrations ‌of a non-sporting nature; team misconduct; and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters. Argentina was ordered to invest $100,000 of their ‌fine in a plan to combat discrimination.

Argentina ​must also play their next two home matches with a spectator ⁠capacity limit of 50%, although one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine are suspended ‌during a probationary period.

Paredes, 32, who plays professionally with Argentina’s Boca Juniors, received a red card after the loss to Spain when he charged Spain defender Eric Garcia, grabbed him by the throat and ‌knocked him to the turf. Video from the ​post- match scrum appeared to show Molina and Ayala throwing punches at ⁠opposing players.

The “demonstrations of a non-sporting nature” occurred when several ⁠Argentina players unfurled a banner about the Falkland Islands after their semifinal ‌win against England. The banner read, “The Falklands are Argentine” and referenced the United Kingdom’s 1982 ​war with Argentina over possession of the islands.

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