1 of 2 | Players from Argentina and Spain brawl on the field moments after time expires at the FIFA World Cup final match against Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, June 19, 2026. Spain won the match 1-0. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
FIFA is expected to investigate Argentina after players and coaching staff clashed with members of Spain’s team following Argentina’s 1-0 loss in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup final, Sky Sports and BBC Sport reported.
The incidents occurred after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., as Spanish players celebrated winning the tournament.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes confronted Spain players Eric García and Gavi, while defender Nahuel Molina attempted to knock over captain Rodri during the celebrations. Videos of the incident also showed Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala striking Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.
Argentina not only lost the final.
First time ever I see a team ruining the winners celebration.
Shame on Argentina pic.twitter.com/z33oSAA8V3— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 19, 2026
BBC Sport said FIFA’s disciplinary committee will review reports submitted by the referee and other match officials before deciding whether to open formal proceedings or impose sanctions.
FIFA can suspend players and team officials and fine national federations under provisions of its disciplinary code covering offensive conduct, violations of fair play and behavior that brings soccer or the governing body into disrepute.
Paredes was initially reported as having received a red card after the final whistle for pushing García in the throat. BBC Sport said the red card was later removed from the official match record, leaving Enzo Fernández as Argentina’s only officially dismissed player after he received a second yellow card during second-half stoppage time.
The potential investigation comes days after FIFA began disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over a banner displayed by players following their 2-1 semifinal victory over England.The banner expressed support for Argentina’s claim to the Malvinas Islands, which Britain administers and calls the Falkland Islands.
Penalties for violent conduct or serious misconduct can include suspensions and fines. FIFA previously used provisions of its disciplinary code in 2023 to ban former Spanish football federation President Luis Rubiales from all soccer-related activity for three years.
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez was suspended from all soccer-related activity for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
The incidents involving Argentina added to a series of controversies surrounding the tournament.
The Telegraph reported that Aleksander Čeferin, president of the Union of European Football Associations, or UEFA, declined to attend the final. UEFA governs soccer in Europe, while FIFA oversees the sport worldwide.
According to the newspaper, the absence of a UEFA president from a World Cup final was unprecedented and reflected the deteriorating relationship between Čeferin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Čeferin also serves as a FIFA vice president.
The Telegraph said Čeferin’s decision followed several disputes during the tournament, including President Donald Trump’s public acknowledgment that he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review — and ultimately reverse — the suspension of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun.
