FIFA has launched an expanded disciplinary investigation into Argentina’s conduct during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, opening proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) while separately investigating several players and a team official over alleged misconduct during the tournament.
The action follows a report submitted to FIFA’s disciplinary committee by its discipline and ethics prosecutor, outlining a series of incidents involving Argentina across multiple World Cup matches.
According to Sky News, the investigations extend beyond the AFA to include Argentinian players Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, Spain midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, Argentina defender Leandro Paredes, and Argentinian team official Roberto Ayala. The latter three are under scrutiny for their alleged conduct during the World Cup final against Spain.
FIFA said the disciplinary proceedings against the AFA concern possible violations of several provisions of its Disciplinary Code, including Article 13(2)(c), which prohibits the use of sporting events for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, Article 14(5) relating to team misconduct, Article 15 covering discrimination and racist abuse, and Article 17, which addresses order and security at matches.
Among the incidents under review is Argentina’s display of a Falklands banner following its World Cup semi-final victory over England. The banner drew widespread attention because of the longstanding sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
However, FIFA indicated that its investigation extends well beyond that episode. The governing body said the disciplinary proceedings were initiated in response to alleged discriminatory chants and gestures, delayed kick-offs, failures to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators, and objects allegedly thrown by fans during several matches involving Argentina.
The allegations suggest FIFA is examining what it considers a broader pattern of misconduct throughout Argentina’s World Cup campaign rather than focusing on isolated incidents.
In addition to the federation-wide proceedings, FIFA’s investigation into the World Cup final continues to examine the conduct of Molina, Paredes and Ayala, while separate disciplinary cases involving Molina, Almada and Spain’s Pablo Martín Páez Gavira remain ongoing.
FIFA has not announced a timeline for concluding the disciplinary cases or indicated what sanctions could be imposed if the Argentinian Football Association, its players or officials are found to have violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Depending on the committee’s findings, the proceedings could result in disciplinary action against the federation, individual players, or team officials.
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