Things got chippy after Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup Final on Sunday, even if the FIFA international feed shared no images of any physical altercaions on the broadcast.
It was ugly enough to get FIFA involved after the fact.
Via Mark Ogden of ESPN, FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation regarding the post-match fracas.
Said FIFA in a statement: “Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with Article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents.”
It wasn’t the first time that FIFA’s feed missed, accidentally or deliberately, a 2026 World Cup scuffle. During the game between England and Mexico in the Round of 16, the benches (which are on the same sideline) emptied during the second half. While the announcers pointed it out, the audience saw none of it.
In this instance, the match broadcasters didn’t mention it. It’s unclear if they even saw it. Fox host Rebecca Lowe made note of it after the announcers sent the coverage back to the studio crew, pointing out that there were “plenty of words” being exchanged between the two sides, with Spain’s Rodri and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi having a somewhat spirited argument.
The footage captured by others makes it clear that there were more than words exchanged by the two teams. And it appears that there is plenty of evidence for FIFA to untangle in deciding who should be sanctioned.
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