FIFA Sanctions Argentina Players and Officials Over World Cup Incidents

FIFA has imposed sanctions on four Argentine players and officials following the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and Pablo Martin Paez Gavira received bans and fines. Paredes was banned for 10 matches and fined US$90,000, while Molina and Gavira each got a one-match ban and a US$30,000 fine.

Molina and Almada were each banned from accompanying the team for the next match. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined US$321,000 for violating several articles of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). The sanctions cover violations of articles related to the use of sporting events for non-sporting demonstrations, team discipline, discrimination and racist abuse, and match order and security.

The AFA's next two home matches will have a reduced spectator capacity of 50 percent. FIFA has also decided to allocate US$10,000 of the fine towards a discrimination prevention plan. The decision was made by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which has given the parties ten days to appeal.