Leandro Paredes has been handed a 10-match international ban for his role in the post-match brawl that marred the 2026 World Cup final.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee also suspended Nahuel Molina for seven games, fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000, and ordered Argentina to play its next two home matches at 50 percent stadium capacity.
The sanctions follow an investigation into the ugly scenes that erupted after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. Multiple Argentina players and staff confronted their Spanish rivals after the final whistle, with the altercations broadcast to an estimated 1.5 billion viewers worldwide.
Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, which is a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine. The Argentina midfielder grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat, wrestled Gavi to the ground, and appeared to strike the latter in the face.
Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match ban and fined $90,000. The defender was seen punching Spain’s Rodri as the midfielder ran to celebrate Spain’s victory.
Thiago Almada received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.
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Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina’s coaching staff, was given a three-match ban and a $30,000 fine for striking Spain’s Dani Olmo in the face.
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Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) of Spain received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for his involvement in the post-match confrontations.
The Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000 for multiple disciplinary breaches during the tournament, including the display of a banner following the semi-final victory over England that claimed Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina.
FIFA ordered that $100,000 of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination, while another $100,000 is suspended, subject to a probationary period. Argentina were also ordered to play their next two home matches with stadium capacity limited to 50 percent, though one match of that sanction is suspended.
The AFA confirmed it will appeal the sanctions and, if unsuccessful, will take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The match suspensions will only be enforced in international fixtures.
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