India, July 21 -- The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina was expected to unite the biggest figures in global football, but one notable absence drew significant attention. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin chose not to attend the tournament's showpiece event, highlighting growing tensions between European football's governing body and FIFA. The decision came amid a series of disagreements that surfaced throughout the competition, ranging from disciplinary rulings to refereeing appointments and tournament regulations.

Relations between the two organizations reportedly became strained after FIFA overturned an automatic suspension that would have ruled out United States forward Folarin Balogun following a red card. UEFA of...