FIFA changes route for Argentina sanctions after Spain’s World Cup final win

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has received approval from FIFA to alter how suspensions imposed on several Argentina players and a member of the coaching staff will be carried out following the incidents surrounding the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.

The AFA said on Thursday that FIFA had accepted its request for the bans to be served during category A international friendlies and/or official matches organised by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), whichever comes first.

FIFA suspended Leandro Paredes for 10 matches, Nahuel Molina for seven and Thiago Almada for one. Argentina coach Roberto Ayala was also given a three-match suspension.

The sanctions relate to events which took place after the World Cup final, in which Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in July.

Although FIFA has agreed to the revised method of implementing the suspensions, the AFA said it would continue to appeal the punishments. The overall disciplinary measures also include financial penalties and restrictions on supporters attending Argentina’s home matches.

“Argentine Football Association, in defence of its rights and those of its players, awaits the grounds for the decisions in order to submit the appropriate appeals before the FIFA Appeal Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) considered a possible final resort,” the AFA said in an official statement.

The association’s legal adviser, Andres Paton Urich, said last Friday that Argentina believed the punishments were excessive and would seek to have them reduced. His comments were made to DSports radio and reported by Spanish broadcaster COPE.

“We consider that the sanctions are excessive, and we will seek to have them reduced,” Paton Urich said.

FIFA has also fined the AFA $321,000 under several articles of its Disciplinary Code. The fine relates to incidents during Argentina’s World Cup matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England and Spain.

As part of the crowd-related punishment, Argentina’s next two home internationals will be played with stadium capacity restricted to 50%.

The disciplinary action follows a tense conclusion to the tournament final and means Argentina’s preparations for their upcoming fixtures will be affected by the bans, despite the AFA’s continuing efforts to challenge the decisions.

The association has not yet been given the full reasoning behind FIFA’s rulings. It said those details would be needed before it could submit its formal arguments to the FIFA Appeal Committee, while leaving open the possibility of taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if the appeal process does not produce a satisfactory outcome.