FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against several members of the Argentinian national team and an official following a tumultuous 2026 World Cup campaign, with potential repercussions including bans from the 2030 tournament.

The investigation stems from multiple incidents, most notably a pitch brawl that erupted after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Spain’s captain Rodri and Argentina’s Nahuel Molina were reportedly involved in an altercation, while Leandro Paredes allegedly seized Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat and shoved Gavi to the ground. Argentina assistant manager Roberto Ayala also appeared to strike Spain’s Dani Olmo, an incident Olmo later told Spanish newspaper Diari de Terrassa he had not accepted an apology for.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) against:

• Nahuel Molina (two counts, one completed and one attempted)

• Leandro Paredes (three counts)

• Roberto Ayala (one count)

Additionally, proceedings for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) (unsporting behaviour) have been opened against Nahuel Molina (one count), Thiago Almada (one count), and Spain’s Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) (one count), according to a FIFA statement.

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Beyond the final: ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ banner and AFA charges

The disciplinary action extends beyond the final’s immediate aftermath. FIFA is also investigating an incident following Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final victory over England, where players Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and Giovani Lo Celso were seen displaying a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’. This message refers to Argentina’s longstanding claim to the Falkland Islands, a territory governed by Britain, which was the subject of a 1982 war.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) itself faces a broader inquiry. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association for potential breaches of article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) and article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA stated. These breaches relate to:

• Discriminatory chants and gestures

• Late kick-offs

• Failure to comply with match and security protocols

• The display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators

• The throwing of objects by spectators

These infractions are in connection with several of Argentina’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, according to FIFA.

2030 World Cup participation at risk

The timing of these proceedings is particularly significant given the upcoming 2030 World Cup. Co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, the tournament will also feature special centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, commemorating the first-ever World Cup in 1930. All six host nations, including Argentina, automatically qualify for the 44-day event, which runs from June 8 to July 21, 2030. Any bans resulting from the current FIFA investigation could prevent key Argentinian players from participating in their home nation’s centenary celebration, casting a shadow over their automatic qualification.

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