Roma block Molina – the gamble of a final call-up is not enough

Roma confirmed on Monday that it will not release Nahuel Molina for Argentina's call‑up this week, despite the seven‑match sanction for his behaviour in the World Cup final being reduced to four. Molina had initially been punished with a seven‑match ban and a $77,000 fine by FIFA for violence at the end of the World Cup Final 2026, in which Spain had beaten Argentina 1‑0 after extra time. The 2026 World Cup final was played on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

His teammate, former Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes, received a ten‑match sanction and a $90,000 fine. On Saturday it was confirmed that Molina's ban had been reduced from seven to four matches and, having served the first three during the September‑October international break, he now has only one match left to serve.

Sanctions and call‑ups

Argentina will play two friendlies in November, against Uruguay and Costa Rica, and Molina is eligible to take part in the second match. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni had tried to add Molina to the squad at the last minute for the November games. Argentina's final squad list was published a few days before Molina's ban reduction was formalized.

Roma told the Argentine federation that it will not release Molina for the November friendlies and expects his return to training with the Giallorossi on Wednesday. On October 11, 2026, during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Roma at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Lucas Da Cunha passed the ball under pressure from Nahuel Molina.