FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association after the team's conduct during the World Cup semi-final and final. The governing body will investigate potential breaches of its code, including a banner referencing the Falkland Islands and a post-match brawl.
Falklands banner
After defeating England in the semi-final, Argentine players displayed a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas', referring to Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands. The islands were the site of a 74-day war in 1982, which resulted in 255 British and 649 Argentinian deaths.
FIFA charges
FIFA said in a statement: '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.'
Final brawl
FIFA has also opened proceedings against two Argentine players and one coach for assault after a brawl broke out following the World Cup final against Spain. The statement added: '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). Following the recommendation contained therein, it 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).'
