FIFA has opened an investigation into Argentina following chaotic scenes at the end of the World Cup final, where tensions flared between players after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory. Several Argentine players, including Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, appeared to be involved in altercations, prompting the governing body to assess potential breaches of conduct.
The fallout has fueled widespread backlash online, with critics pointing to a string of controversies throughout the tournament—from disputed refereeing decisions to allegations of unsportsmanlike behavior. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has since appointed an ethics prosecutor, warning that actions deemed to bring the sport into disrepute could face serious consequences.
Amid the uproar, a viral petition calling to remove Argentina from the World Cup has surpassed 23 million signatures, coming close to breaking a long-standing Guinness World Record. Organizers say the campaign spread globally in under a week, highlighting the scale of fan frustration.
Indeed, the FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious international soccer competition, bringing nations together in pursuit of the sport’s ultimate prize. Yet for some teams, participation itself can become uncertain, as bans and controversies have shown. Intrigued? Click on and find out which nations were banned by FIFA and why.