World Cup 2026: Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotts final in protest against Fifa
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey to protest various Fifa decisions. Key grievances include Fifa's handling of player suspensions and disagreements over tournament structure and commercial changes.
Why it matters
The public rift between the heads of the world's two most powerful football governing bodies threatens the stability and integrity of international football.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Aleksander Ceferin was elected Uefa president in 2016
Football issues correspondent Published 20 July 2026 Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in protest against Fifa.
While the Slovenian did travel to Mexico City for the opening game between the co-hosts and South Africa, he snubbed the trip to New Jersey on Sunday after a series of decisions taken by world football's governing body.
Uefa reacted strongly after United States striker Folarin Balogun escaped a suspension following an intervention from US President Donald Trump.
This was a key factor in Ceferin's decision not to go to the final.
Uefa had criticised Fifa's decision at the time, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".
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