UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin did not attend Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, where Spain defeated the United States 1-0, despite his role as a FIFA vice-president. His absence underscores a growing rift between European football's governing body and FIFA, triggered by the handling of a red card incident involving US striker Folarin Balogun.
According to The Times, Ceferin's boycott stems from FIFA's decision to defer Balogun's ban after his sending-off, allowing him to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium. US President Donald Trump had urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card, leading to accusations of political interference. UEFA condemned the move as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," stating that FIFA had "crossed a red line."
Ticket Costs and Rule Changes
Ceferin criticized the exorbitant ticket prices for the World Cup in May, calling them a barrier for ordinary fans. UEFA also intervened to appoint Somali referee Omar Artan for the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August, after Artan was initially prevented from entering the US.
UEFA has expressed concerns over rule changes implemented by FIFA for the World Cup, such as instructing referees to send off players who speak to opponents while covering their mouths. UEFA has confirmed it will not adopt these new rules in its competitions.
World Cup Expansion Plans
UEFA is opposed to FIFA's proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, which would follow the increase from 32 to 48 teams in 2026. Ceferin stated in April, "This proposal was maybe even more surprising for me than you. I think it is a bad idea."
The five key issues include: political interference in disciplinary matters, high ticket costs, controversial rule changes, lack of referee independence, and excessive tournament expansion. These points highlight the deepening divide between UEFA and FIFA as they navigate the future of international football.
