FIFA Bans Three Argentina Players and One Spain Player for Post-Final Brawl at 2026 World Cup

The referee's final whistle didn't actually close the book on the 2026 World Cup Final. What happened right after, with the trophy still waiting to be lifted, proved costly for several of the players involved: FIFA handed down sanctions to three Argentina players and one Spain player for attacking opponents in the minutes following the match.

The toughest punishment landed on Leandro Paredes, who was hit with a 10-match suspension for striking Spanish players after the game had already ended. It's the harshest sanction in the entire disciplinary package and rules the midfielder out of a significant number of matches with the national team.

Behind him is Nahuel Molina, the defender who was suspended for seven matches for his role in the same incidents. Rounding out the Argentina list is Thiago Almada, who received a far lighter punishment: one match. All three also received fines, with the amounts varying based on the severity of their conduct.

On the Spanish side, the federation didn't escape unscathed either. Gavi was the player flagged by FIFA and was also suspended following the scuffle. Also added to the list of sanctioned individuals was a member of Argentina's coaching staff, who was likewise punished for his role in the post-whistle chaos.

A Final Decided on the Field, Settled in FIFA's Offices

What stands out is that all of this happened outside the normal flow of play. This wasn't a sending-off in the middle of the match, or a red card shown live during the run of play. It happened afterward, once the ball was no longer in play, when the scuffle broke out that would eventually land on FIFA's disciplinary desk.

Does any of this change the outcome of the final? No, the scoreline is already written into history. But it does leave both national teams with a bill to pay heading into upcoming fixtures: Argentina will be without two important pieces of its midfield and defense for several matches, while Spain will have to manage without Gavi for as long as his suspension lasts.

FIFA doesn't typically waste time in cases like this when there's clear evidence of physical aggression, and the severity of the sanctions, Paredes' in particular, makes clear the governing body wanted to take a firm stance on what happened on the biggest stage in world soccer. It remains to be seen how both federations manage these absences as they look ahead to their upcoming schedules.