Overview
- FIFA's Disciplinary Commission has opened a formal expediente against the Argentine Football Association in late July 2026 to examine multiple alleged breaches during the World Cup.
- A central matter under review is a flag reading “Las Malvinas son argentinas” shown by Giovani Lo Celso after Argentina's semifinal win over England, which FIFA says may violate rules forbidding non‑sporting political statements at official matches.
- The body has also lodged individual charges against several players and staff for incidents at the final and elsewhere, with Leandro Paredes facing three charges and Nahuel Molina two, and single conduct charges brought against Thiago Almada, Roberto Ayala and Spain's Gavi.
- FIFA has received the prosecutor's report and invited the AFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation to present descargos before the Disciplinary Commission issues its rulings, which may include fines, warnings or suspensions.
- The case draws on a 2014 precedent in which FIFA fined Argentina for a similar banner and could intensify scrutiny of FIFA's governance and commercial plans as the organization weighs enforcement and reputational consequences.