Archive · 22 Aug 2026
FIFA Bans Paredes After Argentina-Spain World Cup Final Clash
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final.
After the match, players and staff from both teams became involved in a scuffle.
FIFA said Leandro Paredes received the longest ban, lasting 10 international matches.
Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches.
Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi each received one-match bans.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches.
Argentina’s football association was also fined for several problems during the tournament.
The association must limit supporters at upcoming home games, and it plans to appeal the decisions.
Leandro Paredes received a 10-match international suspension and a $90,000 fine for his role in the post-final confrontation.
Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi each received one-match bans and $30,000 fines.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala received a three-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
The Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000 over multiple disciplinary breaches, including discriminatory behavior, team misconduct and a Falklands Islands banner.
Argentina must restrict attendance at its next two home matches, although reports differ over whether this means 50% capacity or closed doors; one match and $100,000 of the penalty are suspended.
- Who
- FIFA sanctioned Argentina players Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, Spain’s Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi), Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala and the Argentine Football Association.
- What
- FIFA imposed suspensions and fines after a post-match Argentina-Spain clash and penalized Argentina for other disciplinary violations during the tournament.
- When
- The final and confrontation occurred on July 19 during the 2026 World Cup.
- Where
- The final was reported at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Why
- FIFA cited alleged assaults and unsporting conduct, team misconduct, discriminatory chants or gestures, security breaches and a Falklands Islands banner displayed after Argentina’s semifinal against England.
FIFA’s disciplinary position
Argentina’s response
Post-final confrontation
FIFA’s disciplinary position
FIFA treated the altercation as involving assaults or unsporting conduct and imposed bans ranging from one to 10 international matches.
Argentina’s response
The Argentine Football Association said its legal department would seek the grounds for the rulings and file appeals, with a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Tournament violations
FIFA’s disciplinary position
FIFA said Argentina breached rules concerning non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discriminatory chants or gestures and match order and security.
Argentina’s response
Argentina’s federation disputes the decisions through its planned appeal process; the articles do not provide a separate detailed defense of each alleged violation.
Falklands Islands banner
FIFA’s disciplinary position
FIFA regarded the “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” banner displayed after Argentina’s semifinal win over England as using a sports event for a non-sporting demonstration.
Argentina’s response
The articles report that the banner prompted criticism from politicians in the United Kingdom, while Argentina’s federation announced a future “National Football Teams Day” marking the semifinal victory.
- Final result
- Spain defeated Argentina 1-0.
- Leandro Paredes
- 10-match international suspension and $90,000 fine.
- Nahuel Molina
- Seven-match suspension and $90,000 fine.
- Other players
- Thiago Almada and Pablo Martín Páez Gavira each received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
- Roberto Ayala
- Three-match suspension and $30,000 fine.
- Argentine Football Association fine
- $321,000 for multiple disciplinary breaches during the World Cup.
- Home-match restriction
- Argentina’s next two home matches are subject to attendance restrictions; one match and $100,000 of the penalty are suspended on probation.
- Anti-discrimination spending
- FIFA required $100,000 of the fine to fund an anti-discrimination program.
Sources
Argentina fined for Falkland Islands banner, Paredes gets 10-match ban for Fifa World Cup final brawl
FIFA hands Leandro Paredes 10-match ban for post-final clash with Spain
FIFA Hands Out Bans After Argentina-Spain World Cup Final Clash; Leandro Paredes Gets 10-Game Suspension
FIFA Bans Argentina Players For 21 Games Combined Due To Brawl With Spain Stars Post World Cup Final
FIFA Slaps Leandro Paredes With 10-Game Suspension Following World Cup Final Brawl
FIFA Suspends 3 Argentina Players, 1 Spain Player For World Cup Final Scuffle
