News, goals, and analysis – only on the official A BOLA app. World Cup World Cup Aleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, did not attend the 2026 World Cup final as a form of protest, at a time when the relationship between the governing body of European football and FIFA is under great tension. The absence of the Slovenian, reported by The Times, reflects a deep discontent that goes beyond the controversial case of Folarin Balogun. One of the critical points of Ceferin’s discontent was the suspension of a one-match ban imposed on the United States forward. UEFA publicly classified FIFA’s decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable,” stating that a “red line had been crossed.” The controversy intensified when it was revealed that the suspension of the ban occurred after a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, requesting a “review” of Balogun’s red card, raising serious questions about political influence in the decisions of the sport’s governing body. It was later revealed that the final decision was made without the knowledge of 17 of the 18 members of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. Before the start of the World Cup, FIFA was unable to prevent U.S. authorities from sending Somali referee Omar Artan home. Subsequently, UEFA appointed Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between PSG and Aston Villa on August 12 next month. The discord between UEFA and FIFA does not end there. Ceferin also opposes the new expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams. UEFA has also indicated that it does not plan to adopt other innovations from the World Cup, such as the interpretation of the VAR protocol regarding “identity swapped,” which led to the expulsion of Breel Embolo from Switzerland against Argentina, or the expulsion of players who cover their mouths while speaking to an opponent – the so-called Prestianni Law. FIFA’s ticket pricing policy was another target of Ceferin’s criticism, who publicly called for “not to take football away from its fans.” Despite the boycott of the final, Aleksander Ceferin was present at the tournament’s opening match, held in Mexico City on June 11, between the local team and South Africa.
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