Leandro Paredes has received a 10-match ban from FIFA following his involvement in on-field altercations after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. His compatriot Nahuel Molina has also been suspended for seven matches.

FIFA's disciplinary committee issued the suspensions as part of a broader series of sanctions against Argentina stemming from incidents that erupted at the full-time whistle at New York New Jersey Stadium, where multiple Argentina players and backroom staff clashed with Spain players.

Capacity restrictions and financial penalties

In addition to the individual bans, Argentina have been ordered to host their next two home fixtures at 50 percent capacity — although one match of that sanction remains suspended pending further conduct.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined £243,000 for multiple violations of the FIFA disciplinary code. Those breaches include using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures from Argentina supporters.

The Falklands banner and the final's aftermath

Controversy had followed Argentina throughout the tournament. After eliminating England 2-1 in the semi-final, several Argentina players displayed a banner asserting Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.

FIFA had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor last month to investigate the full-time scenes in New York, where the altercations between Argentina and Spain players and staff drew widespread condemnation.

Spain end Argentina's reign

Spain claimed their second World Cup crown courtesy of a Ferran Torres strike in extra time, with Argentina having been reduced to 10 men before the decisive goal. The victory brought Argentina's reign as world champions to a close — a title they had held since their triumph over France in the Qatar 2022 final.