FIFA has opened a formal investigation into Argentina following a chaotic World Cup brawl that erupted right after the final whistle of the 2026 tournament decider. Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in extra time, and tensions that had simmered throughout the match finally boiled over once the result was confirmed.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes appeared to grab Spain’s Eric García by the throat, and other players quickly joined in, pushing, shoving, and tripping one another. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni rushed onto the field to break up the commotion before things escalated further. However, replay footage then showed Paredes going after Spain’s Gavi and shoving him to the ground as several other players scuffled nearby.
According to FIFA, the Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to look into potential breaches tied to the post-match incidents. As a result, the organization plans to review the referee’s reports, official match documentation, and video footage before deciding whether sanctions are warranted. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi drew praise for calmly shaking hands with Spain’s players once the chaos settled down.
Paredes Faces Possible Red Card
If the investigation confirms that Paredes did administer a chokehold, as the video appears to suggest, it would trigger an automatic red card under FIFA’s disciplinary code. Consequently, he could become the central figure in whatever punishment follows, since Paredes was reportedly the main instigator once the whistle blew.
Other Argentina Figures Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina is also expected to face scrutiny for his role in confronting Spain captain Rodri during the fracas. Additionally, assistant coach Roberto Ayala could be investigated after allegedly clashing with Spain’s Dani Olmo. Therefore, several Argentina figures now find themselves waiting to learn whether FIFA will hand down bans or fines once the prosecutor’s report is complete. Ultimately, the outcome could shape how Argentina’s federation is viewed heading into future FIFA competitions.
