The Times: UEFA chief boycotted World Cup final over Balogun row

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin declined to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in protest over FIFA's decision to lift the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun, The Times reports.

The outlet said under protocol, Čeferin, who serves as a FIFA vice-president, was expected to attend the final; however, he reportedly boycotted the match because he was dissatisfied with FIFA's handling of Balogun's suspension, further straining relations between the two governing bodies.

Balogun was sent off during the United States' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina and, under tournament regulations, was due to miss the round-of-16 clash against Belgium. FIFA later suspended the sanction, allowing him to play.

Media reports previously claimed that US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and urged him to overturn the suspension.

Balogun featured against Belgium but was unable to prevent the United States from suffering a 4-1 defeat. Belgium was later eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 loss, while Spain went on to beat Argentina in the World Cup final.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov