FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over the conduct of their players and staff after the 2026 World Cup final, a 1-0 defeat to Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Multiple Argentina players and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players following the final whistle, prompting FIFA to appoint a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess the incidents BBC Sport.

The scope of the investigation is wide. Argentina's Leandro Paredes faces three counts of alleged assault under article 14 of FIFA's disciplinary code, which governs player and official misconduct. Team-mate Nahuel Molina is under investigation for two counts of alleged assault plus one count of unsporting behaviour. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala, a veteran of Argentina's golden generation who won 63 caps as a centre-back, faces one count of alleged assault BBC Sport.

Two further players are accused of unsporting behaviour — a lesser charge under the same article. Argentina's Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi both fall under that heading, meaning the fallout is not confined to one side. Under FIFA's disciplinary code, assault carries a minimum three-match suspension, while unsporting conduct brings at least a one-match ban BBC Sport.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente did not min his words. He described Argentina's post-match conduct as "unacceptable" Al Jazeera. His side had just lifted the trophy on the biggest stage, and instead of a celebration the occasion descended into confrontation.

Separately, a red card shown to an Argentina player during the final itself has been rescinded on appeal Yahoo Sports. That means the on-pitch decision did not survive review, but the off-pitch trouble is now the subject of formal proceedings.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee had already signalled its intent earlier in the month. A statement from the committee's chairperson on 6 July addressed disciplinary matters arising from the tournament FIFA. Proceedings were formally opened for potential breaches of article 14, paragraph 1(b), which covers unsporting behaviour FIFA.

For Argentina, this is a bitter coda to a tournament that ended one goal short. The frustration of losing a World Cup final is part of football; the charge sheet now on the table is something else entirely. Paredes, Molina, Ayala, Almada and Gavi will all discover their fates as the disciplinary process runs its course. Whatever the sanctions, the image everyone remembers from East Rutherford may not be Spain lifting the cup, but the ugly scenes that followed the final whistle.