FIFA is investigating a post-match on-pitch brawl involving Argentinian and Spanish players at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup final held in New Jersey, USA. Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina, dethroning the South American champions.

The melee reportedly began when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was seen shoving Spanish players, which escalated into a multi-player altercation. Spain’s Lamine Yamal was noted to have remained calm during the incident. The brawl cast a shadow over Spain’s celebrations of their second World Cup title.

Lionel Scaloni, coach of the 2022 champions Argentina, intervened to separate Paredes from Spanish players, but Paredes pushed more Spanish players before being restrained by a teammate. Despite some cordial exchanges after the match, including a warm embrace between Yamal and Argentine captain Lionel Messi, tensions remained high between the two teams.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code related to the post-match incidents. The committee is currently reviewing match reports and relevant circumstances before deciding on further actions.

This investigation follows a separate FIFA probe into Argentinian players’ display of a political banner during their semifinal victory over England. Defender Lisandro Martinez and substitute Giovani Lo Celso held up a banner stating “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentinian), which violated stadium code of conduct and sparked controversy regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

FIFA confirmed the ongoing disciplinary assessments on Monday, emphasizing the seriousness of the incidents that marked the heated final decided in extra time.

Sources