FIFA suspends Argentine player Paredes for 10 matches in connection with the 2026 World Cup final incidents

Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes has been suspended for 10 international matches due to his conduct following his national team’s loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, FIFA announced on Friday.

Paredes was also fined $90,000. He was among several Argentine players who received suspensions and fines in the wake of incidents during the final match, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Argentina to “La Roja” after extra time on July 19.

Paredes grabbed Spanish player Eric Garcia by the neck, then threw Gavi to the ground while pulling his shirt, escalating the confrontation between the two teams’ players.

Paredes’ Argentina national team teammate, defender Nahuel Molina, received a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine, while his compatriot Thiago Almada and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (“Gavi”) were each suspended for one match and fined $30,000.