Argentina and Brazil have been penalized by FIFA due to fan disturbances during the 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Maracana stadium.

Lionel Messi will indeed be faced with the unusual sight of a half-empty stadium during Argentina’s next home game, a consequence of FIFA’s disciplinary actions against the 2022 World Cup winners. The governing body has also taken measures against Brazil in response to crowd trouble at the Maracanã prior to a 2026 World Cup qualifying game between these fierce rivals in November 2023. Both the Seleção and Albiceleste have been fined 50,000 Swiss francs for “failure to ensure that law and order are maintained”, demonstrating the seriousness with which FIFA regards the maintenance of order and safety during international football matches. Furthermore, Argentina has been dealt an additional 20,000 Swiss francs fine for “lack of order or discipline in or around the stadium”, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a secure and organized environment for all involved.

The disturbances at the game in question led to a 27-minute delay, during which Lionel Messi, the illustrious eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led his team off the field until order was restored. Upon the resumption of the match, Argentina managed to secure a historic 1-0 victory, inflicting a rare home World Cup qualifying defeat on Brazil. These events indicate the gravity of the situation and the impact it had on the outcome of the match, while underscoring the need for effective measures to prevent such disturbances in the future.

In addition to the fines imposed, FIFA has also penalized Argentina with a 50,000 Swiss francs fine due to misconduct by fans at two previous World Cup qualifiers. This amount will be “invested in a plan against discrimination”, highlighting FIFA’s commitment to combating discrimination within the sport. Furthermore, a suspended fine of the same amount looms over Lionel Scaloni’s side, with the possibility of activation within the next six months, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of future infractions.

Argentina has been notified that their next home fixture, currently scheduled to be against Chile in September, will take place with “at least 50% of the available seats” taken off the market. This measure serves as a tangible consequence of the recent events, further reinforcing the importance of upholding order and security during football matches. Despite these disciplinary actions, it is worth noting that the reigning world champions currently lead the South American qualification table after six matches, while Brazil surprisingly finds themselves in sixth place, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football.