FIFA Opens Major Disciplinary Case Against Argentina After 2026 World Cup Final

World football's governing body has formally launched disciplinary proceedings against the Argentina national team following the chaos that marred the 2026 World Cup final. After a week-long investigation into the scenes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA has filed cases against individual players, coaching staff, and the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The most serious personal charges have been brought against midfielder Leandro Paredes, defender Nahuel Molina, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala. They are accused of physical altercations with Spanish players Gavi, Rodri, and Dani Olmo immediately after the final whistle. If found guilty, they face lengthy suspensions. In a related move, separate proceedings for alleged unsporting behavior have been opened against Argentina's Thiago Almada and Spain's Gavi. FIFA's disciplinary committee is also targeting the AFA for a series of systemic violations. After Argentina's 2-1 semifinal win over England, players unfurled and left on the pitch a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" - a political reference to the Falkland Islands dispute, which FIFA considers a political manifestation under Article 13, Section 2c. Other counts include repeated late arrivals for matches and protocol breaches (Article 14, Section 5), discriminatory chants and gestures (Article 15), and safety violations including objects thrown by fans (Article 17). "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings in light of discriminatory chants, late kick-offs, failures to follow security protocols, and the display of inappropriate messages in connection with several matches of the Argentinian national team," the organization said in a statement. Argentina fell 0-1 to Spain in the final on July 12, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra time. The defeat denied Lionel Scaloni's side a chance to become the first back-to-back world champion since Brazil in 1962.