FIFA fines Argentina Football Association over World Cup incidents

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and five individuals following incidents at several matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It said the AFA has been fined $321,000 for violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code relating to non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, and order and security at matches, Caliber.Az reports.

The sanctions were imposed following discriminatory chants and gestures by Argentine supporters.

The association has also been ordered to play its next two home matches with a maximum of 50% of spectators allowed in the stadium.

FIFA ruled that $100,000 of the fine must be allocated to a program aimed at combating discrimination. It also suspended part of the punishment — one of the two home-match restrictions and $100,000 of the fine — for a probationary period.

The committee also imposed individual sanctions following incidents during the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Leandro Paredes was handed a 10-match suspension and fined $90,000, while Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban and a $90,000 fine.

Thiago Almada was suspended for one match and fined $30,000. Team official Roberto Ayala was given a three-match suspension and fined $30,000, while Pablo Martín Páez Gavira was suspended for one match and fined $30,000.

Under Article 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the match suspensions will carry over to the next games of the respective national teams.

The parties were notified of the decisions on Thursday and have 10 days to request a reasoned decision. If requested, the decisions will later be published on FIFA's legal website.

The decisions remain subject to appeal under Article 61 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov