FIFA bans Argentina players following World Cup scuffle
FIFA bans Argentina players following World Cup scuffle
Updated at: August 22, 2026 at 12:45 AM
The 2026 World Cup concluded with high drama, not just on the scoreboard but in the aftermath.
Following Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final on July 19, 2026, a violent brawl erupted between the teams.
FIFA responded in August 2026 by imposing severe disciplinary sanctions on the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and several players.
Leandro Paredes received one of the harshest penalties in World Cup history: a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for physical altercations.
The federation itself faced fines totaling $321,000, stemming from the fight, the display of a controversial political banner, and discriminatory fan behavior.
The AFA has expressed its intention to appeal these decisions through FIFA and potentially the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to challenge the severity of the disciplinary measures taken after a turbulent end to the tournament.
