FIFA’s disciplinary committee opened proceedings involving the Argentine Football Association, three Argentina players, a member of the team’s coaching staff and Spain midfielder Gavi after incidents connected with the 2026 World Cup. The allegations cover conduct following the final as well as the display of a banner asserting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands after an earlier match.

Leandro Paredes is under investigation on three counts of assault, while Nahuel Molina faces two assault counts and one allegation of unsporting behavior. Argentina player Thiago Almada and Gavi are each being investigated for unsporting behavior. Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina’s coaching staff, faces one assault count. Opening proceedings does not establish that any of the people or organizations involved committed the alleged breaches.

The cases follow a confrontation after Spain defeated Argentina in the final. Spain won through a Ferran Torres goal in extra time, after Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez had been sent off. When Spain’s players entered the field to celebrate at the final whistle, clashes developed between members of the two teams. The supplied account describes Molina appearing to strike Spain midfielder Rodri, and Paredes appearing to seize Eric Garcia around the neck and then throw Gavi down. FIFA had said after the match that a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor would examine the scenes.

Separate proceedings against the Argentine federation concern alleged use of a sporting event for a non-sporting demonstration, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, and match order and security. FIFA linked those allegations to inappropriate messages displayed by the team and supporters and to objects reportedly thrown by spectators across several Argentina matches.

One focus is a banner shown during celebrations after Argentina defeated England in Atlanta. The message, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” stated Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Las Malvinas. Players Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi held the banner, which had apparently first appeared among supporters. It was put away briefly and then placed on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The islands are a British dependency off Argentina’s coast and remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute. Argentina invaded in 1982, beginning a conflict that ended with its surrender after fighting from April 2 to June 14. The supplied report records the deaths of three civilians, 255 British personnel and 649 Argentine troops.

Football’s rules and FIFA stadium regulations prohibit political flags, symbols and slogans at matches. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the United States’ World Cup task force, defended the Argentina players’ ability to display the banner by referring to US free-speech protections. FIFA’s proceedings will determine how its disciplinary framework applies to the conduct under review.