Argentine Players Banned For Role In World Cup Brawl After Finals Loss

by Robert BluteAugust 23, 2026, 11:34 pm >

FIFA handed three Argentina players bans on Friday for the post-match brawl in the World Cup final.

The most severe ban was given to Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes, who will have to serve a 10-match ban for his actions following the match, which included pushing Gavi and grabbing Eric García’s throat. This is one of the most severe bans in World Cup history, and will keep Paredes out until the end of 2027 if the schedule stays as is.

The World Cup final had a tense, fiery feel throughout, and the brawl at the end of the match was not entirely unexpected. The match took a turn when Argentine star Enzo Fernández made a questionable challenge, earning him a red card and leaving Argentina with only 10 men. That red card sealed Argentina’s fate; down a man, they had no way to stop Spain’s talent in extra time. Argentina’s efforts to stay alive left things unsettled for some, and when the 1-0 final was official, the brawl broke out. The brawl halted the Spanish celebrations and was a bad look for the Argentine team right after the loss.

There was no doubt that the bans would come; the question was what they would be. The three other players that were handed punishments were Argentine defender Nahuel Molina, Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi. Molina will have to serve a seven-game ban while Molina and Gavi only a one-game ban.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Fines were also imposed on multiple parties. Paredes and Molina were fined $90,000, while Argentine coach Roberto Ayala joined Molina and Gavi with a $30,000 fine. Ayala was also given a three-game ban.

The brawl in the final capped off a very expensive World Cup for the Argentina Football Association (AFA), which was fined over $300,000 for the tournament for many different reasons. Many of these reasons had nothing to do with the brawl, though it played a part. The AFA will also have to spend $100,000 on causes that combat racism and discrimination as part of the fine and play their next match at 50% capacity.