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FIFA launches disciplinary cases against Argentina FA and players over alleged World Cup misconduct
30th July, 2026 07:08 AM
FIFA has begun disciplinary action against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and several members of Argentina’s national team over alleged violations committed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the global football governing body confirmed on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee said it had initiated the cases following a series of incidents involving Argentina throughout the tournament.
Alleged misconduct
Among the alleged offenses are discriminatory chants and gestures by fans, delays in restarting matches, failure to observe match and security regulations, the display of inappropriate messages by both the team and supporters, and objects allegedly thrown from the crowd.
FIFA stated that the AFA could face accusations linked to non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discrimination, racist behavior, and shortcomings related to match order and security.
”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 in light of 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 and the throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches of the representative team of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” the FIFA statement said.
Investigating players
In separate cases, disciplinary proceedings have also been opened against Argentina internationals Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, team official Roberto Ayala, as well as Spain midfielder Gavi, over incidents that occurred after the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Spain claimed a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the July 19 final, after which several Argentine players and officials were involved in confrontations with members of the Spanish team.
A report prepared by FIFA’s appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor alleges that Molina is facing two assault-related accusations, one involving an alleged completed assault and another involving an attempted assault. Paredes has been accused of three alleged assaults, while Ayala is facing one alleged assault charge.
Additional disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against Molina, Almada and Gavi over claims of unsporting conduct.
”The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has received the report of the appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor concerning incidents that occurred during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final (Spain v. Argentina) and, following the recommendation contained therein, has opened disciplinary proceedings – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (two counts, one completed and one attempted) and Leandro Paredes (three counts) and Argentinian official Roberto Ayala (one count). Disciplinary proceedings have also been opened – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behaviour) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (one count) and Thiago Almada (one count) and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (one count),” it added.
FIFA added that everyone involved has been given the chance to submit their responses before the Disciplinary Committee reaches its final decisions.
