FIFA have approved a request from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to change how several Argentina players will serve sanctions imposed after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
The AFA confirmed the decision on Thursday. It had asked FIFA to allow the suspended players to serve their bans during Category A friendlies and/or official CONMEBOL matches, whichever comes first.
FIFA accepted the request, giving Argentina more flexibility over when the suspensions take effect.
Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment with a 10-match ban. Nahuel Molina received a seven-match suspension, while Thiago Almada must serve a one-match ban.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala also received a three-match suspension.
FIFA imposed the sanctions following incidents involving Argentina players and staff after Spain won the World Cup final 1-0 last July.
The punishments also include financial penalties and restrictions on supporters at Argentina’s home matches.
The AFA plans to appeal the sanctions despite FIFA approving its request over how the bans will apply.
“The Argentine Football Association, in defence of its rights and the rights of its players, is awaiting the grounds of the decisions in order to submit the appropriate appeals before FIFA’s Appeal Committee,” the AFA said.
It added that the Court of Arbitration for Sport remains a possible final route if its appeal fails.
AFA legal counsel Andrés Patón Uriz had already criticised the sanctions earlier this week.
“We consider the sanctions to be excessive, and we will seek to reduce them,” he said.
FIFA also fined the AFA $321,000 for incidents during Argentina’s World Cup matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England and Spain.
The association now faces a 50% reduction in crowd capacity for its next two home matches.
The latest FIFA decision changes the timing of the player suspensions, but Argentina’s wider disciplinary fight remains unresolved.
