Six Argentina players could be banned for the 2030 World Cup following a statement made by FIFA, according to reports.

Argentina’s players caused controversy with their behaviour on the pitch during this summer’s tournament. After their victory over England in the semi-final, Argentina’s players held up a political banner which read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates to ‘The Falklands are Argentine.’

In the final, some of Argentina’s players completely lost their heads after their extra-time defeat to Spain. Full-back Nahuel Molina struck Rodri as he ran past him during the celebrations, while Lenadro Paredes grabbed the throat of Spain defender Eric Garcia and then sent Gavi to the ground.

FIFA Open Disciplinary Proceedings Against Argentina

Reuters/James Lang

FIFA have now opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association. Their statement read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association for potential breaches of article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) and article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in light of discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches of the representative team of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026.“

They have also opened disciplinary proceedings against three Argentina players: Molina, Paredes and Thiago Almada.

The statement continued: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has received the report of the appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor concerning incidents that occurred during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final (Spain v. Argentina) and, following the recommendation contained therein, has opened disciplinary proceedings – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (two counts, one completed and one attempted) and Leandro Paredes (three counts) and Argentinian official Roberto Ayala (one count).

“Disciplinary proceedings have also been opened – for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behaviour) – against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (one count) and Thiago Almada (one count) and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (one count).”

Six Argentina Players at Risk of 2030 World Cup Ban

REUTERS/Mike Segar

The Sun have now reported that six Argentina players could be banned for the 2030 World Cup.

They write that FIFA have the power to issue a ban to the Argentina players who were involved in the Falklands banner and the violence after the final.

Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso were all seen holding the Falklands banner and could be punished. While Molina, Paredes and Almada are in hot water following their actions in the final.

Argentina’s next FIFA match will come at the 2030 World Cup. La Albiceleste will host one match at the tournament in honour of the 100th anniversary of the first edition in 1930.

Because they are co-hosting, they will not have to go through qualifying. So, if suspensions are handed out, the next available match for players to be banned could be Argentina’s opening match of the 2030 World Cup.

Fans of Ilia Topuria have been left in shock after seeing the recovery of his face several weeks after his first professional loss to Justin Gaethje.

The Georgian fighter was defeated by The Highlight after he was stopped in his corner just after round four with his face looking worse for wear in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House, which saw United States President Donald Trump sit cageside to watch all the action.

On the night, Ciryl Gane defeated Alex Pereira in the co-main event, Sean O’Malley knocked out Aiemann Zahabi, and Josh Hokit beat Derrick Lewis by TKO.

It was understood that Topuria had suffered multiple facial injuries during the fight, with doctors revealing that he had fractured two orbital bones and broke his nose after his brutal match-up with the former BMF winner, who demolished El Matador’s face on his way to championship glory.

Ilia Topuria’s Face Seven Weeks After UFC Freedom 250

Credit: Zuffa LLC

Now, it looks as if Topuria has made a swift recovery, with the former featherweight champion not looking back as he has reportedly been vacationing in Alicante and Ibiza, as photos from the trip have been released.

In the photo, Topuria can be seen smiling with his barber Luis Bless, who shared the photo on his Instagram page, with many fans left impressed with the healing process that the 17-1 fighter has been through.

Fans were quick to take to social media to praise Topuria for this quick recovery, with El Matador’s fans excited to see him in the Octagon once again.

One user on X wrote, “Oh yeah HE LOOKS GREAT! When we getting a comeback match bruh?” while another wrote, “The rematch with Justin Gaethje will be legendary,” as fans look forward to a potential second clash between the two UFC lightweight giants.

Another fan compared El Matador to a famous Marvel superhero by jokingly stating, “Damn, Ilia got those Captain America healing powers, looking good champ!”

Many fans, however, expected Topuria to have made such a recovery in time, with one fan on X commenting, “It’s been over a month since he last fought. I’d hope he’d be healed up by now,” while another commented, “Why is everyone obsessing with his eyes? Yeah, he got beat up. He’s also 29 years old. He will heal quickly. He didn’t tear an ACL or Achilles.”

One thing is for sure that Topuria is vying to get back into the Octagon, with the lightweight division stacked with talent, including champion Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway.

Arsenal are showing their ambition in the transfer market by targeting a move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, but they are also in talks to sign another world-class attacker, according to TEAMtalk.

Arsenal chiefs remain determined to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the new season, ensuring they don’t stand still as they look to not only win the Premier League title again, but also achieve their dream of winning the Champions League having come so close last season.

Incoming business has been slow so far as we approach August 1, with the transfer window closing a month later on September 1.

Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis are the only new confirmed summer additions so far, although the Gunners are seemingly working on multiple other deals for Arteta.

Reports suggest that the north Londoners are now closing in on an agreement to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes in a £70m+ deal, with Eddie Howe’s shock exit from St James’ Park on Thursday being partly linked to the fact that key players were leaving the club this summer.

Arsenal have also made their interest clear in Vinicius Junior, with no breakthrough in talks over a new contract at the Bernabeu.

They also have their eye on another top player too.

Arsenal Holding Background Talks to Sign Julian Alvarez

Rodrigo Valle via Reuters

While reports about Vinicius Junior are hogging the headlines around Arsenal at the moment, according to TEAMtalk, they continue to hold background talks over a summer move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

As well as strengthening on the left wing, it appears as though Arteta is looking for a new centre-forward option too, to compete with – or replace – Viktor Gyokeres.

The Argentina international has his heart set on joining Barcelona, but with Atletico refusing to sell to their La Liga rivals, it could open the door for Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal later in the window.

The report says that the Gunners believe that an opening could emerge for them to sign a star labelled as the ‘best player in the world’ by Fernandes Torres last season, in the coming weeks.

Discussions between Arsenal and Atletico have been ongoing behind-closed-doors, with the Spanish side being open to selling the player to Arsenal.

Alvarez Likes Arteta Project as Arsenal Get Creative

via Reuters

The report also adds that despite his number one choice being to go to Barcelona, he also views the Arteta project at the Emirates very positively, which is no surprise after last season.

The 26-year-old is keen on the prospect of moving to London should a deal to join Barcelona be completely ruled out, with Arsenal ready to strike if the August 10 deadline given by the Catalan outfit passes with no deal.

Gunners chiefs are also ready to get creative to get what is likely to be a big-money deal for Alvarez over the line, as they are willing to offer Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus to Atletico as part of any move, which is said to appeal to the team from the Spanish capital.