Argentina Stars Handed Massive Bans for World Cup Final Brawl

FIFA has confirmed its decision to suspend four players for their involvement in a post-match skirmish at the end of the 2026 World Cup final.

The showpiece event at MetLife Stadium was a fiery affair between Spain and Argentina, with the former eventually running out 1–0 winners following a decisive strike from Ferran Torres in extra time.

Argentina players had been guilty of overstepping the mark on several occasions, including Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who was sent off in stoppage time at the end of the second half. However, their antics after the fulltime whistle were inexcusable.

Nahuel Molina was the instigator of an on-field brawl shortly after the match concluded, colliding with Rodri as the Spaniard ran across the pitch to celebrate with his teammates. Things quickly escalated, culminating in Argentina’s Leandro Paredes grabbing Eric García by the throat, before throwing Gavi to the ground.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee had been investigating the incident and have now issued some significant punishments.

Paredes Issued 10-Match Suspension, Molina Banned for Seven Games

Leandro Paredes (center) in a scuffle. — Paredes (center) has been handed a massive ban. | Al Bello/Getty Images

On Friday, Aug. 21, FIFA handed Paredes a 10-match ban for his involvement in the ugly altercation, while his compatriot Molina has been suspended for seven matches. Both players were also fined $90,000.

Their teammate Thiago Almada has been issued a one-match suspension, as has Barcelona midfielder Gavi. Argentina coach Roberto Ayala has been banned or three matches, joining Almada and Gavi in receiving a fine of $30,000.

The Argentina Football Association was also fined $321,000 by FIFA. They were punished for “breaches of articles 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) in light of discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters, and 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).”

A chunk of the fine stems from the decision of Argentina players to carry a political banner relating to the Falklands War onto the field after their World Cup semifinal victory over England.

The banner read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine.”

Argentina Bite Back With Controversial Video

#SelecciónMayor Un mes para tener claro que nunca vamos a dejar de intentarlo. pic.twitter.com/pRRebnqO7s
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) August 19, 2026

The day before FIFA confirmed its punishments, Argentina’s FA stoked the fire by releasing a video on X which claimed there was an “anti-Argentina campaign” staged during the World Cup.

A compilation of footage from the tournament is backed by emotional music, with its narrator stating: “A month ago something happened. What many people didn’t want to happen, happened: Argentina played in another final.

“What happened was that we came back in every match along the way, that we made history by knocking England out in a semifinal.

“This group arrived with the goal of giving the Argentine people another final, and no matter how much of an anti-Argentina campaign there was, we got there anyway.

“When someone tells you something happened, tell them yes. What happened was that there was a team that gave everything to win, fought until the end and walked away with its head held high.

“Our captain’s tears taught us once again that you can win, but what you can never do, no matter what happens, is stop trying.”

Add us as a preferred source on Google