Leandro Paredes could return early after FIFA decision

Leandro Paredes now has a route to serving his suspension before Argentina’s next competitive fixtures after FIFA approved a request from the Argentine Football Association. The sanctions handed down after the 2026 World Cup final can be applied to category A friendlies and/or official matches, with the first applicable games counting toward the bans.

Paredes was suspended for 10 matches after confronting Spain’s Gavi and Eric Garcia physically following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat in the final. Nahuel Molina received a seven-game ban, while Thiago Almada was suspended for one match. The same FIFA decision also covers the punishment imposed on the Argentine federation.

The ruling has triggered speculation that Argentina could arrange a large number of friendlies to make its suspended players available sooner. FIFA’s decision comes while South American national teams have no official competition scheduled in the immediate period, making friendly matches the practical way to reduce the bans.

There are no Copa America qualifying matches in the region, and qualifying for the 2030 World Cup is not due to begin until next year. South American teams also do not have a Nations League during the 2030-34 cycle. Those scheduling circumstances give Argentina an opportunity to count international fixtures toward Paredes’ suspension before the next official campaign begins.