UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the recently concluded 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey between Argentina and Spain to protest against FIFA. Amid Folarin Balogun’s episode, in which FIFA did not explain why it reversed his red card appeal after US President Donald Trump’s intervention, the relationship between the two towering bodies has been under strain. That reason alone put FIFA’s integrity and fairness in the most-loved global sport under scrutiny, leaving a black spot on what was a successful World Cup campaign in North America.&nbsp;UEFA kept its stance while expressing disappointment over Infantino and FIFA's disciplinary committee’s decision to overturn Balogun’s red card, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and saying it "crossed a red line". &nbsp;British media reported that other sources of tension included FIFA's acquiescence when US authorities refused to allow Somali referee Omar Artan to enter the country. UEFA responded by appointing Artan to officiate its Super Cup final next month.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-probe-argentina-players-post-match-chaos-world-cup-final-leandro-paredes-red-card-1784555694636">Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, the governing body was also unable to ensure that Iran was treated the same way as other teams playing in the US. While coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was the "most oppressed" at the World Cup, the US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he "danced a happy dance" when Iran were knocked out of the tournament. &nbsp;UEFA has also, so far, refused to adopt some of FIFA's World Cup innovations, such as hydration breaks, the "mistaken identity" VAR protocol, which led to the sending off of Breel Embolo in Switzerland's quarter-final loss to Argentina, or the cards for players who cover their mouths talking to an opponent. &nbsp;Ceferin didn’t hold back and also criticised the enlarged 48-team tournament before it kicked off. &nbsp;"We have a lot of matches that are completely uninteresting," he was quoted as saying in a newspaper in his native Slovenia. Ceferin has also been publicly critical of World Cup ticket prices. &nbsp;UEFA has said that it would continue to offer two 'fan first' ticket categories at the 2028 Euros in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It said that 40 per cent of tickets would either be priced below £30 (€35 or $40) or below £60. It has also promised not to adopt dynamic pricing. &nbsp;In stark contrast, Ceferin did attend the opening match of the tournament in Mexico City on June 11.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the 2026 World Cup final in protest against FIFA. Discover the full story behind the deepening rift over red cards, referees, and ticket prices.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the recently concluded 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey between Argentina and Spain to protest against FIFA. Amid Folarin Balogun’s episode, in which FIFA did not explain why it reversed his red card appeal after US President Donald Trump’s intervention, the relationship between the two towering bodies has been under strain. That reason alone put FIFA’s integrity and fairness in the most-loved global sport under scrutiny, leaving a black spot on what was a successful World Cup campaign in North America. UEFA kept its stance while expressing disappointment over Infantino and FIFA's disciplinary committee’s decision to overturn Balogun’s red card, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and saying it "crossed a red line". British media reported that other sources of tension included FIFA's acquiescence when US authorities refused to allow Somali referee Omar Artan to enter the country. UEFA responded by appointing Artan to officiate its Super Cup final next month. Also read| Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final Meanwhile, the governing body was also unable to ensure that Iran was treated the same way as other teams playing in the US. While coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was the "most oppressed" at the World Cup, the US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he "danced a happy dance" when Iran were knocked out of the tournament. UEFA has also, so far, refused to adopt some of FIFA's World Cup innovations, such as hydration breaks, the "mistaken identity" VAR protocol, which led to the sending off of Breel Embolo in Switzerland's quarter-final loss to Argentina, or the cards for players who cover their mouths talking to an opponent. Ceferin didn’t hold back and also criticised the enlarged 48-team tournament before it kicked off. "We have a lot of matches that are completely uninteresting," he was quoted as saying in a newspaper in his native Slovenia. Ceferin has also been publicly critical of World Cup ticket prices. UEFA has said that it would continue to offer two 'fan first' ticket categories at the 2028 Euros in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It said that 40 per cent of tickets would either be priced below £30 (€35 or $40) or below £60. It has also promised not to adopt dynamic pricing. In stark contrast, Ceferin did attend the opening match of the tournament in Mexico City on June 11. (With inputs from AFP)

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the 2026 World Cup final in protest against FIFA. Discover the full story behind the deepening rift over red cards, referees, and ticket prices.

UEFA head Aleksander Ceferin boycotts World Cup final in protest against FIFA

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino insisted on Monday (Jul 6) that the governing body’s disciplinary process was independent amid widespread criticism of the bombshell decision to lift US World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s suspension following Donald Trump’s intervention. After US President Trump admitted contacting Infantino about reviewing Balogun’s red-card foul, Infantino confirmed that FIFA’s judicial bodies took the decision and that the case would be decided in due course.&nbsp;Balogun’s red-card fiasco has become the headline worldwide, with Trump and Infantino providing statements hours before their Round of 16 match against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup 2026.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jurgen-klopp-blasts-us-president-donald-trump-fifa-chief-gianni-infantino-folarin-balogun-world-cup-ban-suspension-1783338252488">Jurgen Klopp blasts 'clueless' Trump and Infantino for lifting Balogun World Cup ban</a> &nbsp;"I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," Infantino said in a statement. &nbsp;US President Trump also confirmed in the press briefing that he called Infantino, with whom he has built a close relationship, "because I didn't think it was a foul". &nbsp;"All I did was ask for a review; I didn't say you have to do this," Trump added.

USA vs Belgium at World Cup 2026

Meanwhile, Balogun received a straight red card following a video review for stepping on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's foot in the round-of-32 match that the US won 2-0. Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban. However, FIFA said the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a decision that sparked widespread condemnation from the football world. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was an April Fool's joke, while Norway's coach Stale Solbakken said it was "a big mistake" by FIFA. &nbsp;Infantino added that he often discussed events at the World Cup with Trump. &nbsp;"I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump," he said. "Just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues." &nbsp;Infantino said he always read the decisions handed down and "sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree". &nbsp;“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them," he said.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Gianni Infantino defends FIFA’s independence following backlash over a bombshell decision to lift US star Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension after a call from Donald Trump.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino insisted on Monday (Jul 6) that the governing body’s disciplinary process was independent amid widespread criticism of the bombshell decision to lift US World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s suspension following Donald Trump’s intervention. After US President Trump admitted contacting Infantino about reviewing Balogun’s red-card foul, Infantino confirmed that FIFA’s judicial bodies took the decision and that the case would be decided in due course. Balogun’s red-card fiasco has become the headline worldwide, with Trump and Infantino providing statements hours before their Round of 16 match against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Also read| Jurgen Klopp blasts 'clueless' Trump and Infantino for lifting Balogun World Cup ban "I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," Infantino said in a statement. US President Trump also confirmed in the press briefing that he called Infantino, with whom he has built a close relationship, "because I didn't think it was a foul". "All I did was ask for a review; I didn't say you have to do this," Trump added.

Gianni Infantino defends FIFA’s independence following backlash over a bombshell decision to lift US star Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension after a call from Donald Trump.

Gianni Infantino insists FIFA ‘Independent’ after Donald Trump's call to lift Balogun ban

Jürgen Klopp didn’t mince his words in calling out ‘clueless’ Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino over FIFA’s abrupt decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's one-match ban. All of this happened after the US president called the FIFA chief to review the US striker's red card foul. Upon receiving a direct red for stepping on the Bosnian defender’s foot during the US’s 2-0 win in the Round of 32 fixture, Balogun was set to miss the crucial World Cup pre-quarterfinal against Belgium in Seattle on Monday (Jul 6). However, Trump’s intervention forced FIFA to lift his suspension, allowing him to feature for the US in the Last 16.&nbsp;The latest reports suggest that Trump personally called up the FIFA president, Infantino, asking him to review Balogun's punishment. Klopp, who is set to take over as Germany’s new head coach following Julian Nagelsmann’s recent resignation, hit out at the decision, saying, ‘This is our game, not theirs…’ &nbsp;"It's a red card, even if it's a shame because Balogun can't play, but it's there in the rules," Klopp said. "This is our game, not theirs... If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that's crazy. It calls everything into question... &nbsp;"These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn't have anything to do with it,” he added.

USA vs Belgium at World Cup

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-slams-fifa-us-striker-folarin-balogun-world-cup-ban-suspended-red-card-1783335582805">‘Rule Broken!’: UEFA furious as FIFA clears US striker Balogun to play against Belgium</a> &nbsp;Although per FIFA's regulations, a direct red card automatically triggers a one-match ban, which cannot be appealed, a rule in the FIFA statutes also allows the governing body to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure", essentially amounting to a veto over refereeing decisions. &nbsp;Meanwhile, US President Trump, who was the first recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize in the lead-up to this 48-team tournament, praised FIFA's decision on social media. &nbsp;"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Jürgen Klopp blasts "clueless" Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino after the US President's intervention forced FIFA to lift Folarin Balogun's ban.

Jürgen Klopp didn’t mince his words in calling out ‘clueless’ Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino over FIFA’s abrupt decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's one-match ban. All of this happened after the US president called the FIFA chief to review the US striker's red card foul. Upon receiving a direct red for stepping on the Bosnian defender’s foot during the US’s 2-0 win in the Round of 32 fixture, Balogun was set to miss the crucial World Cup pre-quarterfinal against Belgium in Seattle on Monday (Jul 6). However, Trump’s intervention forced FIFA to lift his suspension, allowing him to feature for the US in the Last 16. The latest reports suggest that Trump personally called up the FIFA president, Infantino, asking him to review Balogun's punishment. Klopp, who is set to take over as Germany’s new head coach following Julian Nagelsmann’s recent resignation, hit out at the decision, saying, ‘This is our game, not theirs…’ "It's a red card, even if it's a shame because Balogun can't play, but it's there in the rules," Klopp said. "This is our game, not theirs... If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that's crazy. It calls everything into question... "These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn't have anything to do with it,” he added.

Jürgen Klopp blasts "clueless" Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino after the US President's intervention forced FIFA to lift Folarin Balogun's ban.

Jurgen Klopp blasts 'clueless' Trump and Infantino for lifting Balogun World Cup ban

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UEFA head Aleksander Ceferin boycotts World Cup final in protest against FIFA

Infantino insists FIFA ‘Independent’ after Trump call to lift Balogun ban

Klopp blasts 'clueless' Trump and Infantino for lifting Balogun World Cup ban