FIFA Hits Argentina With Fines and Suspensions Over 2026 World Cup Final Incidents

The final wrapped up more than a month ago, but the fallout is only just beginning. FIFA released a wave of sanctions on Friday tied to incidents that took place on the field and in the stands during the 2026 World Cup, the tournament Argentina finished as runner-up after falling to Spain in New Jersey. The list, frankly, isn't short.

The name that stands out most is Leandro Paredes. The midfielder was handed a 10-match suspension for striking Eric Garcia and Gavi during the brawl that broke out right after the final whistle, along with a fine of $90,000. Nahuel Molina received similar treatment, banned for seven matches and fined another $90,000 for going after Rodri. Thiago Almada, who also threw punches in that same scuffle, got a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine. On the coaching side, Roberto Ayala, an assistant to Lionel Scaloni, must serve a three-match suspension and pay $30,000 for his confrontation with Dani Olmo. On the Spanish side, the Disciplinary Committee only found fault with Gavi, who received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.

The Falklands Flag at the Center of the Controversy

Beyond the strictly soccer-related penalties, the sanction that drew the most attention was the one levied against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) itself, ordered to pay $321,000 for violating several articles of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, including the ban on using a sporting event for demonstrations unrelated to the sport and the article punishing discrimination. Although the statement doesn't spell it out explicitly, all signs point to the flag reading "Las Malvinas son argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine) that was displayed after the semifinal win over England.

The AFA, for its part, did break down the figures: $10,000 for displaying that flag, $20,000 for inappropriate fan conduct, and a separate chapter for discriminatory chants recorded during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England and Spain, which add up to a $100,000 fine (with an equal amount suspended for six months). On top of that comes another $91,000 fine for objects thrown onto the field during the matches against Switzerland and England, incidents that also delayed the start of those games.

As an additional penalty for the discriminatory episodes, the national team will have to play its next two home matches with capacity capped at 50 percent, though FIFA left a door open: the AFA could allocate half of those closed seats to community or anti-discrimination groups, subject to prior approval from the governing body. The federation must also spend $100,000 of the fine on an anti-discrimination program over the next six months.

The Argentine federation didn't stay quiet. In its statement, it announced that its legal team will ask FIFA for the grounds behind each ruling in order to evaluate possible appeals.

"In defense of the Association's rights and those of its players, AFA's Legal Department will, in due time, request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are subject to review in order to file appeals with the Appeals Committee, leaving open the future possibility of turning to CAS as a last resort"Argentine Football Association

The suspensions for the players and for Ayala will be served during the national team's upcoming official matches, so Scaloni will have to plan without them for several games.