FIFA bans Leandro Paredes for 10 games after World Cup final melee with Spain

Leandro Paredes won’t be suiting up for Argentina anytime soon. FIFA has handed the Boca Juniors midfielder a 10-match ban following his role in the ugly post-match brawl that marred the 2026 World Cup final, where Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

What happened on the pitch

The trouble started the moment the final whistle blew. Paredes got into physical confrontations with multiple Spanish players. The list of his dance partners reads like a who’s who of Spain’s midfield: Gavi, Rodri, and Dani Olmo all found themselves on the receiving end.

But the most serious incident involved Spain defender Eric Garcia. Paredes grabbed Garcia by the throat, an act that crosses well beyond the line of competitive frustration and into territory FIFA classifies as assault. He also threw Gavi to the ground during the melee.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Code Article 14 sets a minimum three-match suspension for each individual act of aggression. FIFA also opened formal assault proceedings against Argentine defender Nahuel Molina and assistant coach Roberto Ayala for their roles in the post-match confrontations. Their sanctions have not yet been confirmed.

The weight of a 10-match international ban

Paredes is 31 years old. His club career at Boca Juniors remains unaffected. FIFA’s disciplinary jurisdiction in this case applies only to international competition, so he’ll continue playing domestic football in Argentina’s Primera Division.

Argentina’s post-final fallout

The 2026 final was already a painful result for Argentina. Spain’s 1-0 victory in extra time denied the South Americans back-to-back World Cup titles after their triumph in Qatar in 2022.

FIFA used the term “assault” in its formal proceedings rather than the softer “unsporting behavior,” reflecting the severity of the physical contact involved.

What comes next

Paredes has the right to appeal the ban through FIFA’s internal appeals process, and potentially to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if that fails. The outcomes for Molina and Ayala remain pending. If FIFA applies the same Article 14 framework, both could face multi-match bans of their own, though the specifics will depend on the evidence reviewed for each individual’s actions.

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