Spain-Argentina final: FIFA hands down heavy sanctions to Paredes, Molina and the AFA

FIFA's disciplinary committee has struck hard following the incidents that marked the end of the 2026 World Cup final, won 1-0 by Spain against Argentina. Leandro Paredes has been handed a ten-match suspension with the Argentine national team, while Nahuel Molina has been suspended for seven matches. Thiago Almada, Gavi and Roberto Ayala have also been sanctioned.

Leandro Paredes is the most heavily punished player. The Boca Juniors midfielder must serve a ten-match suspension with Argentina and pay a fine of 90,000 dollars. Nahuel Molina receives a seven-match ban along with the same fine. Thiago Almada, for his part, is suspended for one match and fined 30,000 dollars.

These sanctions apply to the upcoming matches of the national teams concerned. They therefore do not apply to matches played with their respective clubs.

Paredes at the heart of the incidents

FIFA holds Paredes responsible for his conduct during the skirmishes that broke out after the final whistle. The Argentine midfielder was involved in an incident with Eric García, before ending up on the ground with Gavi in a particularly tense sequence.

Nahuel Molina was also caught up in the clashes, notably in an exchange with Rodri as the Spanish midfielder was joining his teammates to celebrate the world title.

Roberto Ayala, a member of the Argentine coaching staff, did not escape sanction either. He has been suspended for three matches and must pay a fine of 30,000 dollars for his involvement in an incident with Dani Olmo.

Gavi, meanwhile, has been suspended for one match and fined 30,000 dollars. The Spanish midfielder had nonetheless come to Paredes' defence after the match, saying he did not believe the Argentine deserved such a heavy sanction.

A 321,000-dollar bill for the AFA

FIFA also sanctioned the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to the tune of 321,000 dollars. Several breaches of the Disciplinary Code were found, notably the use of a sporting event for non-sporting demonstration purposes, unsporting conduct by the team, and discriminatory chants by Argentine supporters.

The first charge notably refers to the banner asserting Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, displayed by several players after the 2-1 victory over England in the semi-final.

In detail, 100,000 dollars must be allocated to an anti-discrimination programme. A further portion of 100,000 dollars of the financial penalty is suspended for a probationary period.

The AFA has also been ordered to play its next two home matches at 50% capacity. Here again, one of the two sanctions is suspended for the probationary period.

The AFA wants to appeal

The Argentine Football Association is contesting the severity of the sanctions and has announced its intention to appeal. Andrés Patón Urich, an AFA assessor, notably felt that the suspensions handed to Paredes, Molina and Ayala were excessive.

The AFA therefore intends to try to have these sanctions reduced. Should the appeal process fail, the Federation is also considering taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA has yet to publish the detailed grounds for its decisions. The parties have a deadline to request them, which will make it possible to know precisely which elements the disciplinary committee took into account in setting such heavy suspensions.

One thing is already certain: the final minutes of this Spain-Argentina final will leave a mark well beyond the pitch. For Paredes, the sanction is particularly harsh and could rule him out for a large part of the Albiceleste's next international cycle.