On Sunday, July 20, 2026, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin chose not to attend the World Cup final following multiple disagreements with FIFA. According to a source with direct knowledge cited by Reuters, the disputes centered on disciplinary procedures, refereeing logistics, and match operations.
A key issue was FIFA's suspension of an automatic one-match ban for United States forward Folarin Balogun after receiving a red card, a move that UEFA condemned as "crossing a red line."
Another factor contributing to Ceferin's absence was the denial of entry into the United States for Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, preventing his participation in the World Cup. Artan was later appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August.
European delegates also expressed concerns about the geopolitical management of matches involving Iran and raised issues with operational changes introduced for the tournament, including mandatory hydration breaks and an extended half-time interval in the final.
Spain secured the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time.
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