Overview
- FIFA opened formal proceedings on Wednesday, July 29, naming the Argentine Football Association and several players and staff for alleged breaches during the 2026 World Cup.
- The AFA faces charges for using a sporting event for a non‑sporting demonstration after players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” a Spanish phrase that claims the Falkland Islands for Argentina.
- Leandro Paredes was charged with three counts of assault from post‑final confrontations, Nahuel Molina faces two assault counts plus an unsporting‑behaviour charge, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala was charged with one assault count.
- Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi have been cited for unsporting behaviour and FIFA’s case also covers alleged discriminatory chants, security failures, delayed kick‑offs and objects thrown by supporters across multiple Argentina matches.
- FIFA has given respondents the chance to submit their positions and the Disciplinary Committee will decide punishments in due course, a process that could result in multi‑match bans, fines or sanctions against the federation and will be watched for diplomatic and sporting consequences.