World Cup 2026: why did the UEFA president boycott the final?

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin did not attend the 2026 World Cup final, which saw Spain defeat Argentina. His absence is reportedly linked to serious tensions with FIFA.

The main dispute centers on FIFA’s decision to overturn the automatic suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun after his red card—a move that UEFA strongly criticized. Other issues have also fueled the rift, notably the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the tournament after he was denied entry to the United States.

UEFA reportedly also voiced its displeasure over the management of certain matches, the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks, and the extended halftime during the final. These disagreements ultimately led Aleksander Čeferin to boycott the final, underscoring the strained relationship between the two global football governing bodies.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

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