FIFA agrees to reduce Argentina punishment for World Cup final brawl: Suspensions for Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina

On Aug 28, 2026

Argentina players will see their punishments for the World Cup final brawl lessened after the Argentina Football Association (AFA) successfully negotiated a reduction with FIFA.

The 2022 World Cup winners fell to a 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 final and players and coaches took out their frustrations on the full time whistle. Chief among the culprits were midfielder Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, who were given 10-game and seven-game bans, respectively.

Leandro Paredes was at the center of ugly post-game scenes in New Jersey.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Typically those suspensions would need to be served in competitive games. However Argentina, as co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup, will not play another competitive fixture until the 2028 Copa América tournament. As such, Argentina have requested that players can serve the suspensions in ‘Class A’ friendly games.

FIFA approves Argentina request

A statement form the AFA confirmed the request and revealed that FIFA has already offered approval. This will give Argentina time to schedule friendly fixtures ahead of the 2028 Copa América, allowing players to serve their bans outside of major tournaments.

“The AFA has formally requested FIFA to allow the sanctions imposed on its players during the 2026 World Cup final, and on the association itself, to be served in Class A friendly matches and/or official matches, whichever comes first,” reads the statement. “Based on the AFA’s submission, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has deemed the request approved in accordance with current regulations.”

It continues: “Nevertheless, the AFA, in defense of its rights and those of its players, is awaiting the written justification for the decisions in order to file the corresponding appeals with FIFA’s Appeals Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) potentially as the final recourse.”

The post-game incident at the final was not the only controversy surrounding Argentina during the 2026 World Cup. Players Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martinez celebrated the semi-final win over England by posing with a banner reading ‘The Malvinas are Argentinian’, in reference to the contested British territory off the coast of Argentina. The AFA was hit with a $321,000 fine as a result.