The World Cup final against Argentina and Spain ended with a brawl, and a month later, FIFA has announced how they will be punishing those involved.
On Friday, FIFA revealed that several Argentina players and a coach have been suspended after reviewing the footage on the field after Spain’s 1-0 victory on July 19. Argentina is also being forced to play at 50% capacity for its next two home games.
© GettyLeandro Paredes
The biggest punishment went to Leandro Paredes, who was handed a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine. Paredes was involved in several incidents with Spain’s players, including Eric García and Gavi. FIFA’s investigation determined that Paredes faced three assault counts.
© Image Photo AgencyNahuel Molina
Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match ban and the same $90,000 fine, with FIFA’s investigation finding two assault counts involving the Argentina defender.
© Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES SportfThiago Almada
Argentina’s Thiago Almada received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
© GettyRoberto Ayala
Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. Ayala was battling it out with Spain’s Dani Olmo.
© BSR AgencyGavi
Spain’s Gavi, who was also involved in the confrontation, received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
© Ryan Pierse – FIFAIn total, Argentina players and staff were handed 21 matches’ worth of suspensions following the post-match chaos.
Why is Argentina being forced to play at 50% capacity?
© GettyThe player suspensions aren’t the only punishment Argentina is facing.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $321,000 for various tournament violations during the World Cup, including discriminatory behavior from supporters, security and protocol violations, and the display of a politically charged banner during Argentina’s semifinal victory over England.
After defeating England on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Argentina’s players held a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” referring to the Falkland Islands. The islands have been under British control since 1833, and Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands. The dispute escalated into war in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands, and Britain sent forces to retake them.
© GettyThe discrimination portion of the case is where the 50% stadium restriction comes in. Argentina’s next home match will have its capacity restricted to 50%, with FIFA also imposing a similar restriction on a second home game. But the second match’s sanction is suspended under a probationary period.
FIFA ordered $100,000 of the $321,000 to be invested in an anti-discrimination plan. Another $100,000 of the sanction was suspended during a probationary period.
The 50% stadium restriction is tied specifically to the discrimination violations. FIFA ordered Argentina to play its next two home matches with attendance capped at 50%, although the restriction for one of those games has been suspended during a probationary period.
All this means that the consequences will actually be felt by Argentina fans. Instead of simply paying a fine and moving on, the federation will have to deal with reduced attendance and a mandated effort to address discriminatory behavior.
What happened after the World Cup final?
© GettyArgentina’s loss to Spain was already a brutal way to end the tournament after social media turned on the Country. Spain scored in extra time to win 1-0, and the men, unable to handle their emotion, took their frustration out physically on each other.
Footage showed players from both teams got into physical confrontations on the field. Paredes was sent off during the chaos, while Molina avoided a red card but was later subject to FIFA’s disciplinary process.
The governing body opened disciplinary proceedings after reviewing the incidents and gave the players and officials an opportunity to respond before reaching Friday’s decisions.
The petty, post-match brawl had already overshadowed what should have been a celebration of Spain’s World Cup victory.
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