Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, praised Argentina's "professionalism" despite the disturbances following their loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final match.
On 26 July 2026, after the 2026 World Cup final held on Sunday, 19 July, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 with a winning goal by Ferran Torres in extra time, a private letter from FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was leaked to the public.
In the letter, Infantino congratulated Argentina on their performance in the tournament and stated that the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as a grand celebration of football, filled with thrilling matches, emerging young talents, and a stadium atmosphere full of passionate fans. He also praised the professionalism of this Argentine national team.
The controversy arose because the letter was sent at the same time as unsightly incidents occurred after the match, with several Argentine players and coaching staff involved in physical and verbal altercations with Spanish players. Notably, Leandro Paredes was seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the neck and pushing Gavi to the ground. Additionally, most Argentine players turned their backs during Rodri's trophy lift.
Enzo Fernandez received a red card in this game, and there was criticism about Argentina's overly aggressive style of play. Meanwhile, on social media, a petition with over 23 million signatures has called for a permanent ban of the Argentine national team from the World Cup.