FIFA slaps Argentina with fines, bans over World Cup final

FIFA slaps Argentina with fines, bans over World Cup final The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ⁠additionally fined Paredes $90, 000 for sparking a post-match brawl after Spain's 1-0 victory in extra time on ‌July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Key points

• Argentina teammates Nahuel Molina (seven-match ‌suspension, $90, 000 fine) and Thiago Almada (one match, $30, 000) and ‌team ⁠official Roberto Ayala (three matches, $30, 000) and Spain midfielder ⁠Gavi (one match, $30, 000) additionally were disciplined.
• Argentina's Leandro Paredes (5) knocks down Spain's Gavi (9) during scuffle after the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York.
• Argentina was ordered to invest $100, 000 of their ‌fine in a plan to combat discrimination.
• Video from the post- match scrum appeared to show Molina and Ayala throwing punches at ⁠opposing players.
• The "demonstrations of a non-sporting nature" occurred when a number of ⁠Argentina players unfurled a banner concerning the Falkland Islands after their semifinal ‌win against England.

Argentina's Leandro Paredes (5) knocks down Spain's Gavi (9) during scuffle after the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York. File Photo Credit: AP.

For context, a 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes was one of a number of sanctions FIFA imposed against Argentina on Friday (August 22, 2026) for their actions ‌in last month's World Cup final loss to Spain.

FIFA additionally fined the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) $321, 000 for various violations, including using a sports event for demonstrations ‌of a non-sporting nature; team misconduct; and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters. Argentina was ordered to invest $100, 000 of their ‌fine in a plan to combat discrimination.

Although one of the two matches and $100, 000 of the fine are suspended ‌during a probationary period, argentina must additionally play their next two home matches with a spectator ⁠capacity limit of 50%.

Paredes, 32, who plays professionally with Argentina's Boca Juniors, received a red card after the loss to Spain when he charged Spain defender Eric Garcia, grabbed him by the throat and ‌knocked him to the turf. Video from the post- match scrum appeared to show Molina and Ayala throwing punches at ⁠opposing players.

In practice, the "demonstrations of a non-sporting nature" occurred when a number of ⁠Argentina players unfurled a banner concerning the Falkland Islands after their semifinal ‌win against England. The banner read, "The Falklands are Argentine" and referenced the United Kingdom's 1982 war with Argentina over possession of the islands.

Taken together, the developments around FIFA slaps Argentina with fines, bans over World Cup final point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.