Paredes to serve ten-match ban in friendlies after 2026 World Cup final

Leandro Paredes will be able to serve part of his ten-match suspension in Category A friendly matches, after FIFA approved an official request from the Argentine Football Association. The midfielder was sanctioned for physically assaulting Spaniards Gavi and Eric Garcia at the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup final, which Albiceleste lost to Spain (0-1).

His teammates Nahuel Molina (7 matches) and Thiago Almada (1 match) benefit from the same provision. The Argentine Football Association confirmed that its request “has been approved” by the international body, specifying that the sanctions can be served “in Category A friendly matches and/or official matches, whichever comes first”.

The decision has drawn criticism, with some observers noting that it gives Argentina the opportunity to arrange multiple friendlies to get its players back quickly. FIFA likely took into account South America’s calendar, however: there are no Copa America qualifiers in the short term, qualifications for the 2030 World Cup will not begin until next year, and the South American zone will not participate in a Nations League until the 2030-2034 cycle. With no official matches scheduled, friendlies represented the only realistic way for the sanctions to actually be served within a reasonable timeframe.