FIFA imposes fines and bans on Argentina FA and players after World Cup incidents

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced today that it has imposed financial and sporting sanctions on the Argentine Football Association, several of its players, and officials, following incidents during the 2026 World Cup, including the final between Spain and Argentina.

In a statement, FIFA explained that its Disciplinary Committee fined the Argentine FA a total of $321,000 for violations including using the sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discriminatory and racist chants and gestures by some fans, as well as breaches of match organization and security regulations.

The committee also ordered Argentina to play its next two home matches with attendance limited to 50% of stadium capacity, and allocated $100,000 of the fine to implement an anti-discrimination plan. The statement noted that part of the sanction—covering one match and $100,000 of the fine—has been suspended, subject to a probationary period for the Argentine FA.

Bans and fines for players and officials

In connection with the incidents during the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, the Disciplinary Committee suspended Argentine player Leandro Paredes for ten matches and fined him $90,000, while Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban and a $90,000 fine.

The committee also suspended Thiago Almada for one match with a $30,000 fine, and technical official Roberto Ayala for three matches with a $30,000 fine. Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira was also suspended for one match and fined $30,000.

FIFA confirmed that the suspensions will be applied to the upcoming matches of the respective national teams in accordance with the Disciplinary Code. The parties have been notified of the decisions and given ten days to request the reasoned decisions. All sanctions remain subject to appeal under current regulations.