Trump’s World Cup Intervention Puts FIFA in the Spotlight
The United States’ exit from their home World Cup has been overshadowed by a political row that raises fundamental questions about the integrity of football’s governing body. According to reporting and commentary from The Guardian, the controversy centres on Donald Trump’s apparent intervention to have Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension lifted — and what that says about how FIFA, under Gianni Infantino, actually operates.
The USA were beaten convincingly by Belgium, 4-1, in Seattle on Monday night, going out at the last-16 stage of a tournament they are co-hosting. On the pitch, the result was fairly straightforward. Belgium were the better side in almost every position, with Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard among those who outclassed their opponents over the course of the match.
But the build-up to the game had already been poisoned. Balogun had been serving a suspension following a red card when Trump reportedly made contact with FIFA to have the ban overturned. The suspension was duly lifted. Trump then appeared to confirm his own involvement publicly, saying — in his words — *