Sore losers, an embarrassing President and a FIFA with no teeth: The World Cup final’s embarrassments

Last Updated on 21 July 2026

Spain won 1-0 in extra time. It was a clean, disciplined, well-deserved victory. And then Argentina lost their minds. Within seconds of the final whistle at MetLife Stadium, Nahuel Molina swung a punch at Rodri’s stomach.

Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat, then spun Gavi to the turf and pushed into his face. Assistant coach Daniel Ayala reportedly struck Dani Olmo. Lionel Scaloni physically intervened to try to stop his own players.

It was, in the words of multiple journalists at the stadium, a disgrace. And somehow, it was not even the most embarrassing scene of the World Cup evening.

The trophy ceremony that summarised everything wrong with the World Cup

After presenting Spain with the World Cup, Donald Trump refused to leave the stage. Gianni Infantino attempted to guide him away. Rodri, Spain’s captain, reportedly asked him to clear the area. Trump moved to the opposite side of the podium and remained there.

He stood there applauding while the Spanish players lifted the trophy beside him: inserting himself into one of football’s most sacred moments through sheer refusal to step aside. Moments earlier, Trump had been jeered and booed by an 82,000 strong crowd.

This is the man FIFA built their tournament around. This is the partnership Infantino protected, celebrated and defended for three years while communities were priced out, visa bonds locked out supporters, and entire nations were denied the right to attend.

Trump’s security operation caused enormous delays for media and fans at the final itself: journalists reporting absurd lines and contradictions before they could even enter the venue. It mirrored the chaos that had defined the tournament’s relationship with his administration.

The Paredes investigation and the pattern FIFA has enabled all tournament

FIFA has confirmed it has opened a disciplinary investigation into the post-final incidents, citing “potential breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code with regard to the post-match incidents.” The regulations state a player can be suspended for “at least three matches for violent conduct”.

It’s a punishment that, if applied, Paredes would serve during Argentina’s next international fixtures. The investigation has no timeline. No urgency has been communicated. No interim suspension has been applied.

Given that FIFA reversed Balogun’s red card within 48 hours of a White House phone call, the contrast in institutional speed is not lost on anyone paying attention. Argentina’s post-final conduct did not emerge from nowhere.

FIFA was already investigating the squad’s celebrations after the England semi-final, where players displayed a Malvinas banner on the pitch. The pattern across this tournament has been one of Argentina receiving protection and leniency at every critical juncture.

Egypt VAR controversy, the Embolo red card, the Balogun suspension reversal, and then repaying indulgence with ugliness when the result went against them. Infantino will take his bow, Trump will claim credit. The football was better than the people running it. It always is.