REUTERS/Mike Segar
Six Argentina players could be banned for the 2030 World Cup following a statement made by FIFA, according to reports.
Argentina's players caused controversy with their behaviour on the pitch during this summer's tournament. After their victory over England in the semi-final, Argentina's players held up a political banner which read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas', which translates to 'The Falklands are Argentine.'
In the final, some of Argentina's players completely lost their heads after their extra-time defeat to Spain. Full-back Nahuel Molina struck Rodri as he ran past him during the celebrations, while Lenadro Paredes grabbed the throat of Spain defender Eric Garcia and then sent Gavi to the ground.
FIFA Open Disciplinary Proceedings Against Argentina
Reuters/James Lang
FIFA have now opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association. Their statement read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association for potential breaches of article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) and article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in light of discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches of the representative team of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026.“
They have also opened disciplinary proceedings against three Argentina players: Molina, Paredes and Thiago Almada.
The statement continued: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has received the report of the appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor concerning incidents that occurred during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final (Spain v. Argentina) and, following the recommendation contained therein, has opened disciplinary proceedings – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (two counts, one completed and one attempted) and Leandro Paredes (three counts) and Argentinian official Roberto Ayala (one count).
“Disciplinary proceedings have also been opened – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behaviour) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (one count) and Thiago Almada (one count) and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (one count).”
Six Argentina Players at Risk of 2030 World Cup Ban
REUTERS/Mike Segar
The Sun have now reported that six Argentina players could be banned for the 2030 World Cup.
They write that FIFA have the power to issue a ban to the Argentina players who were involved in the Falklands banner and the violence after the final.
Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso were all seen holding the Falklands banner and could be punished. While Molina, Paredes and Almada are in hot water following their actions in the final.
Argentina's next FIFA match will come at the 2030 World Cup. La Albiceleste will host one match at the tournament in honour of the 100th anniversary of the first edition in 1930.
Because they are co-hosting, they will not have to go through qualifying. So, if suspensions are handed out, the next available match for players to be banned could be Argentina’s opening match of the 2030 World Cup.