FIFA’s disciplinary committee has suspended five individuals and fined the Argentine Football Association following the chaotic scenes that broke out immediately after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final. The match took place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time. When the final whistle was blown, Spanish substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate. A series of physical confrontations then erupted between players and staff from both teams. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain defender Eric García by the throat and threw midfielder Gavi to the ground, later appearing to strike him.
🚨 OFFICIAL: FIFA suspensions following post Argentina-Spain clash, including 10 games ban for Paredes, 7 for Nahuel Molina and 1 for Pablo Gavi. 🇦🇷 Paredes: 10-game ban + $90,000 fine 🇦🇷 Molina: 7-game ban + $90,000 fine 🇦🇷 Almada: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine 🇦🇷 Ayala: 3-game ban… pic.twitter.com/FP8YWumcc7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2026
Defender Nahuel Molina struck Spain captain Rodri in the stomach as he celebrated. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala punched Spain’s Dani Olmo in the face. Thiago Almada and Gavi were also involved in the disorder. Paredes’ ban effectively rules him out of Argentina’s international schedule for roughly a year. Gavi will miss Spain’s Nations League fixture against England at Wembley on 26 September.
Paredes handed 10-game suspension after chaotic World Cup final behaviour
On 21 August 2026 FIFA announced the following sanctions, all of which apply only to national-team matches:
- Leandro Paredes: 10-match ban and $90,000 fine
- Nahuel Molina: 7-match ban and $90,000 fine
- Roberto Ayala: 3-match ban and $30,000 fine
- Thiago Almada: 1-match ban and $30,000 fine
- Gavi: 1-match ban and $30,000 fine
In addition to this FIFA have also fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000 for multiple breaches during the tournament. This includes the display of a political banner after the semi-final against England, team misconduct, and discriminatory behaviour by supporters. Argentina must also play their next two home matches with stadium capacity limited to 50 percent, though one of those restrictions is suspended. Part of the fine is earmarked for anti-discrimination programmes. The Argentine Football Association has confirmed it will appeal the decisions, first within FIFA and, if necessary, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
