FIFA bans Paredes 10 matches after Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup 2026 final

FIFA has suspended Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 international matches and fined him $90,000 over his conduct after the 2026 World Cup final. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the title.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the punishment after reviewing incidents that followed the July 19 final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. Paredes was among the Argentina players involved in a confrontation with Spanish opponents after the final whistle.

The suspension will apply to Paredes’s next matches with Argentina covered by FIFA’s ruling. It is the longest ban handed down in connection with the post-match incidents and adds to the fallout from a final that ended with Spain lifting the World Cup.

Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine. Team official Roberto Ayala received a three-match ban and a $30,000 penalty, while Thiago Almada was suspended for one match and fined $30,000. Spain midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, known as Gavi, also received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.

FIFA separately fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000 for several breaches during the tournament, including discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, team misconduct and security violations. Argentina must also play its next two home matches with stadium capacity limited to 50 per cent, while $100,000 of the association’s fine is to support an anti-discrimination programme.

The sanctions can still be appealed. The affected parties have 10 days to request a motivated decision before FIFA’s legal body may publish the decisions.