Leandro Paredes criticized his suspension and accused Spain's Gavi of punching him. The Argentine midfielder spoke to TyC Sports this week about the ban he received after the World Cup final.
Paredes explained that FIFA sanctioned him for his reaction after the final whistle of Spain's 2-1 victory. He said the referee missed the initial incident with Gavi. "He gave me a punch in the chest," Paredes stated about the Spanish player. "I reacted and that's why I was sent off. Then the sanction arrived."
What happened in the World Cup final?
The 2026 World Cup final in the United States was an intense match. Spain beat Argentina 2-1 with goals from Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. The team led by Luis de la Fuente secured its second world title. The game, played at MetLife Stadium, had several tense moments. Paredes came on in the 75th minute and the clash with Gavi occurred in stoppage time.
Paredes' ban rules him out of the first South American qualifiers. For the Spain national team, the triumph solidifies a successful cycle. You can review the champion's path in our tournament stats.
How does this affect Spain's preparation?
La Roja is already focused on the next phase. The team has a solid base with players like Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, and Rodri. The World Cup win provides a major boost ahead of the title defense in 2030. The immediate schedule includes the UEFA Nations League and preparation friendlies.
The coaching staff constantly analyzes the group's performance. The current squad mixes experience and youth, with figures like Pedri and Gavi alongside veterans. The sanction to a rival does not alter Spain's plans, which continue on their path.
What is the state of the champion team?
Spain enters September 2026 as the top team in the FIFA ranking. The side displays a possession-based, high-pressing game that paid off in North America. Luis de la Fuente is under contract until after the next World Cup.
The squad has an average age of 26.8 years, suggesting the core can be maintained. Key players like Rodri (age 30) and Laporte (32) are still performing at a high level. Goalkeeper Unai Simón played in all seven tournament matches. The next major appointment is the Nations League finals in June 2027.
| Player | Position | Age | Matches in 2026 World Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unai Simón | Goalkeeper | 29 | 7 |
| Aymeric Laporte | Defender | 32 | 7 |
| Rodri | Midfielder | 30 | 7 |
| Pedri | Midfielder | 23 | 6 |
| Lamine Yamal | Forward | 19 | 7 |
The table shows some of the pillars of the team during the conquest. All of them are available for the upcoming fixtures.
What's next for La Roja?
The focus is on long-term preparation. Spain will play several friendlies in the coming months to test variations. The clear goal is to arrive in the best possible shape to defend the title in 2030, which will be hosted across three continents.
The path includes the Nations League group stage, where Spain will seek qualification for the final four. You can check all upcoming matches on our fixtures page. The Spanish Federation is already working on logistics for the next cycle. Paredes' comments are a reminder of the intensity of a World Cup final, but the team moves forward with its project.
