2026 World Cup: A major blow one month after the final between Spain and Argentina

One month after the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina and the brawl that broke out at the end of the match, FIFA has officially announced severe sanctions against several players and staff members of the Albiceleste national team. The harshest penalty was handed down to Leandro Paredes, who was suspended for ten matches and fined $90,000 for violent conduct. The former Roma midfielder had been sent off after a hard collision with Gavi during the Spanish national team’s celebrations. Nahuel Molina also received a seven-match suspension, along with a $90,000 fine, for striking Rodri as the Spanish captain was running toward his teammates.

A one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine were handed down to Thiago Almada, who had held Gavi back while Paredes struck him. Roberto Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff, received a three-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for punching Dani Olmo. FIFA has also sanctioned a Spanish player. Gavi will have to sit out one match and pay $30,000 for pushing Eric Garcia.

All suspensions must be served with their respective national teams. FIFA has thus closed the disciplinary proceedings opened after the final, entrusting a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor with the task of investigating possible violations of the Disciplinary Code, in accordance with Article 36.

The sanction against the AFA is also severe. The Argentine Football Association must pay a total of $321,000 for the team’s misconduct and for the discriminatory chants and gestures directed by Argentine fans at opposing players. Added to this amount is a further $91,000 fine for Argentine fans throwing objects onto the field during the matches against Switzerland and England, for delays in the start of the matches, and for violations of FIFA’s security protocol.