FIFA SLAPS ARGENTINA WITH FINES, BANS OVER WORLD CUP FINAL

 

July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; Argentina's Leandro Paredes clashes with Spain's Gavi next to assistant coach Walter Samuel. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

A 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes was one of several sanctions FIFA imposed against Argentina on Friday for their actions in last month's World Cup final loss to Spain.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee also fined Paredes $90,000 for sparking a post-match brawl after Spain's 1-0 victory in extra time on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Argentina teammates Nahuel Molina (seven-match suspension, $90,000 fine) and Thiago Almada (one match, $30,000) and team official Roberto Ayala (three matches, $30,000) and Spain midfielder Gavi (one match, $30,000) also were disciplined.

FIFA also fined the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) $321,000 for various violations, including using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature; team misconduct; and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters. Argentina was ordered to invest $100,000 of their fine in a plan to combat discrimination.

Argentina must also play their next two home matches with a spectator capacity limit of 50%, although one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine are suspended during a probationary period.

Paredes, 32, who plays professionally with Argentina's Boca Juniors, received a red card after the loss to Spain when he charged Spain defender Eric Garcia, grabbed him by the throat and knocked him to the turf. Video from the post-match scrum appeared to show Molina and Ayala throwing punches at opposing players.

The "demonstrations of a non-sporting nature" occurred when several Argentina players unfurled a banner about the Falkland Islands after their semifinal win against England. The banner read, "The Falklands are Argentine" and referenced the United Kingdom's 1982 war with Argentina over possession of the islands.

--Field Level Media

DONALD TRUMP TO JOINTLY PRESENT FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 TROPHY TO WINNERS

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team.

Donald Trump had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy.© AFP

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday stated that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final together, where they will watch the match and jointly present the trophy to the winning team. Earlier, talkSPORT reported that FIFA has no objection to Trump handing the World Cup trophy directly to the winning captain and remaining on the podium during celebrations. "We're going to be together with US President Donald Trump, enjoying the World Cup Final and handing the trophy to the winner together," Infantino said as per Fox News.

The US president had already been informed that FIFA would like him to present the trophy to the tournament winners. Officials from Mexico and Canada are also expected to be invited to attend the closing ceremony.

Trump drew attention at the Club World Cup when he remained on the podium beside Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer appeared visibly puzzled, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially appeared to guide Trump away before later encouraging him to stay.

Under standard FIFA protocol, the World Cup trophy is typically placed on a plinth and carried by the winning team onto the stage for the presentation ceremony.

Trump did not attend the USMNT's opening victory over Paraguay due to a scheduling conflict, but is expected to be present at the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

- ANI

MADONNA, SHAKIRA AND BTS ANNOUNCED AS CO-HEADLINERS FOR FIRST EVER HALFTIME SHOW AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP FINAL

The 2026 World Cup final will take place on Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

Shakira, BTS and Madonna.
Credit : Kevin Mazur/Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty; Marc Nader/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

The 2026 World Cup final is going to have some global superstars headlining its first ever halftime show.

On Wednesday, May 13, the official FIFA World Cup Instagram account announced that Madonna, Shakira and BTS will be performing at the final in July. 

“On July 19, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is coming to New York New Jersey Stadium, featuring superstars@madonna ,@shakira , and@bts.bighitofficial , curated by@coldplay ‘s Chris Martin!” the post read.

The tournament’s final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the match kicking off at 3 p.m. ET. 

Madonna performs at Coachella 2026.
Kevin Mazur/Getty

The post added, “A FIFA World Cup first, the Halftime Show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 USD million to expand access to quality education and football for children around the world. Throughout the tournament, USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the Fund.”

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also shared the news in an Instagram video featuring BTS on FaceTime, along with the help of Sesame Street’s Elmo and Muppets characters Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, the Cookie Monster and Statler and Waldorf. 

This will be the first time a halftime show has taken place during a World Cup final.

The news comes after Madonna announced her new album Confessions II last month and made a surprise appearance at Coachella during Sabrina Carpenter's headlining set. The Queen of Pop’s new record, a sequel to her 2005 hit album Confessions on a Dancefloor, will be released on July 3.

The 2026 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico and features 48 teams, begins on June 11 when Mexico take on South Africa. 

Earlier this month, the likes of Katy Perry, J Balvin, Future, Michael Bublé, Tyla and Lisa were announced to be among those performing at the three opening ceremonies of the soccer tournament.

Shakira performing in New York City in September 2025.
Theo Wargo/Getty 

While Perry will headline the U.S. opening ceremony on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, J Blavin will headline the opening ceremony in Mexico City and Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Alessia Cara will co-headline in Toronto.

According to Variety, the soccer World Cup Finals are the most-watched annual sporting event, with the 2022 final drawing in more than 500 million live viewers.

- Kirsty Hatcher