\n<\/p>\n
Uefa laid down new battles lines on Tuesday, when voicing strong opposition to the Balogun decision. <\/p>\n
European football’s governing body said Fifa had “crossed a red line” and described it as an “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision”.<\/p>\n
But this was not the first time Uefa has crossed swords with Fifa.<\/p>\n
In May 2025, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin led a group of European delegates in staging a walk-out during a break at the Fifa Congress<\/a>.<\/p>\n Infantino had been on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East alongside Trump and arrived two hours 17 minutes late.<\/p>\n Uefa has looked to score political points during the World Cup, too.<\/p>\n No sooner had Artan landed at home in Somalia last month than Uefa announced he had been invited to referee the Uefa Super Cup<\/a> between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.<\/p>\n And throughout this year, Uefa has been eager to point out how cheap Euro 2028 tickets are<\/a> compared to the World Cup. It will not introduce hydration breaks, or red cards for players who cover their mouth.<\/p>\n Infantino, remember, came from Uefa. For many years he was the man who presented the Champions League draws.<\/p>\n He may not quite be persona non grata there these days – he gave a speech at the Uefa Congress in February – but there is clear friction. <\/p>\n Taking all this into account, Infantino’s position must surely be in doubt?<\/p>\n On the contrary. Infantino is popular with many federations around the world – and a lot of that is down to Fifa’s development of the game.<\/p>\n Infantino’s Fifa Forward programme has funded football projects across the globe, and he has created opportunities through the expanded World Cup.<\/p>\n Sixteen extra nations now qualify – the vast majority from the confederations with less depth. Europe only got three of the additional spots.<\/p>\n