'Nothing Wrong With Calling A Friend' Debate: Has The World Cup Been Fair & Why Did Trump Intervene?

Politics, power and the World Cup | Bigger Than Five

The FIFA World Cup is shining a spotlight on politics, discrimination and double standards. Former Iran national team coach Afshin Ghotbi explains why some players are judged by the governments they represent, while others are treated simply as athletes. Then, former US player and academic Jules Boykoff asks whether FIFA is living up to its own principles of neutrality. As football and politics collide, Bigger Than Five examines the controversies beyond the pitch.

‘No problem’: Trump backed over FIFA intervention after controversial red card

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer says he has “no problem” with US President Donald Trump contacting FIFA over a red card given to a star on the US football team. “No one’s denying that he made the call to FIFA’s President … if you do look back, there are at least two instances of other countries weighing in on similar penalties that were done to players in previous World Cups,” Mr Spicer told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “I have no problem. The President of the United States is supposed to be our greatest advocate, and him weighing in on what I think was a ridiculous call is something that a President should be doing.”

World Cup 2026: France v Morocco quarter-final buildup, Collina defends refereeing – live

All the latest as we look ahead to the quarter-finals Player guide | Bracketology| Golden Boot | Email usAndrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup taskforce, has defended Donald Trump’s lobbying of Fifa to lift the suspension of US player Folarin Balogun for Monday’s game against Belgium.The US president claimed that Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who showed Balogun a red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was “a little bit suspect, if you check his past”. This was apparently a reference to a match-fixing investigation by Brazil’s senate in 2024 that examined how referees were assigned to games but did not accuse Claus of wrongdoing. Continue reading...

USA's World Cup agony is not over: Twisted truth about Trump red card scandal... lingering fear haunting the team... and question Mauricio Pochettino must answer

USA's World Cup agony is not over: Twisted truth about Trump red card scandal... lingering fear haunting the team... and question Mauricio Pochettino must answer

FIFA lifts ban on USA star striker for Belgium clash after Trump calls Infantino

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Donald Trump said in a social media post after the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card from a previous match was confirmed.

USA vs Belgium – World Cup last 16: Trump, Balogun, prediction, start time

Lobbying by President Trump and a last-minute U-turn by FIFA stir controversy before the knockout match.

FIFA SPARKS FUROR

FIFA SPARKS FUROR (Main headline, 2nd story, link) Related stories:TRUMP CARD: WORLD CUP CHEATS FOR USA?

Norway coach says red-card controversy 'about FIFA,' not Trump

Norway's soccer coach Stale Solbakken said the controversy over U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban suspension is not "about Donald Trump" but rather "about FIFA," after Trump called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision. #norway #belgium #trump #fifaworldcup #redcard 👉 Subscribe: https://reut.rs/4b8fRGn Keep up with the latest news from around the world: https://www.reuters.com/ Follow Reuters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reuters Follow Reuters on X: https://twitter.com/Reuters Follow Reuters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reuters/?hl=en

Inside Trump’s FIFA push that turned the US World Cup into a political storm

President Donald Trump’s push to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension may have benefited the United States on the field, but it has also transformed Monday night’s Round of 16 showdown with Belgium into a broader debate over whether politics influenced soccer’s biggest tournament. Instead of focusing on tactics and lineups, players and coaches have []

‘Overturn this’: victorious Belgium throw barb after Balogun red-card controversy

For Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it emerged that Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun’s red card to be overturned, Belgium – and other nations – were outraged: Uefa called the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

Trump Thanks FIFA For Reversing ’Great Injustice’ As European Rivals Rage At World Cup

President Donald Trump offered his thanks to FIFA — while Belgian officials fume and vow to evaluate “all potential options” — after the organization lifted a one-game suspension for U.S. star-striker Folarin Balogun. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his thanks, saying, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and ...

Solbakken kecam keputusan FIFA

EAST RUTHERFORD: Jurulatih Norway, Stale Solbakken menyifatkan keputusan Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA) membenarkan penyerang Amerika Syarikat (AS), Folarin Balogun terlepas daripada penggantungan satu perlawanan selepas dilayangkan kad merah sebagai satu kesilapan besar yang boleh menjejaskan kredibiliti badan induk dunia itu. Solbakken meluahkan rasa tidak puas hati itu selepas Norway mengejutkan juara lima kali, Brazil, ... Read more The post Solbakken kecam keputusan FIFA appeared first on Utusan Malaysia.

Trump Inserts Himself Into World Cup Drama

Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has sparked international outrage after reports confirmed he intervened in the World Cup.It began after Team USA superstar Folarin Balogun was handed a red card in the second half of the July 1 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after clashing with an opposing player’s foot. As a result, he was ejected from the game and given a one-game suspension. At the time, FIFA said that the referee’s call was final and could not be overturned or appealed. “I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call. I think a yellow card would have been fair, just due to it not being intentional,” Balogun told reporters on Friday.Read more at The Daily Beast.

Balogun: Trump confirms FIFA call, says ref has ‘suspect past’

I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul, Trump told reporters at the White House. All I did was ask for a review, I didn't say you have to do this. The post Balogun: Trump confirms FIFA call, says ref has ‘suspect past’ appeared first on Vanguard News.

[Video] NOW - Trump confirms he spoke to FIFA President, asked for a review, calls the referee [...]

NOW - Trump confirms he spoke to FIFA President, asked for a review, calls the referee that gave the red card very suspect, and says the red card wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction... he didn't do anything wrong... that's very unfair.@disclosetv

Belgian Soccer Team Shreds Trump

The Belgian team had something to say after winning over the US in a knockout round. It was very humiliating for us, because we lost 4-1. However, our *team* are good guys. They didn’t want Trump to interfere. Not our fault he talked to FIFA to overturn a red card on one of our best

Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USA’s power – on and off the pitch

WORLD CUP 2026: Hit by a political wrecking ball ahead of their round of 16 encounter with Belgium, even a helping hand from President Trump could not take the USA into the quarter-finals. Richard Jolly examines what comes next for Mauricio Pochettino and his side

Is This The Best World Cup Ever Played? Still Early, But The Ball Don't Lie

Is this the best World Cup ever? Based on all available evidence, it might harder to argue that it's not.

USMNT proves it's built different with first World Cup knockout win in 24 years

This is not a normal World Cup for the U.S. Then again, this is not a normal U.S. team.

What Revolution players are saying about ex-teammate facing the U.S. in the World Cup Round of 32

“He always talked about playing for the Bosnian national team. It's very important to him, because of his family.” The post What Revolution players are saying about ex-teammate facing the U.S. in the World Cup Round of 32 appeared first on Boston.com.

Trump’s FIFA intervention damaged America’s World Cup credibility

File-This is perhaps the last image of the USMNT engaged as one at this World Cup.The mixed feelings and missed opportunities will take a while to shake off A host nation must win on the field, not under a cloud of political suspicion By : The Editorial Board, Opinion The United States is not merely []

Is Donald Trump giving FIFA orders? | DW News

FIFA has reversed a match ban for star USA striker Folarin Balogun after Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The controversial U-turn means Balogun, the team's top goalscorer, will feature in a crucial World Cup knockout match against Belgium. #Trump #WorldCup FIFA For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/ ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1

How Shameful Can the World Cup Get? We Take a Look at Four Previous Tournaments

In many ways, the U.S.'s World Cup has been a bit of a disaster. But it's not the first time the tournament has been filled with sportswashing, authoritarianism, or corruption.

What Trump’s FIFA Scandal Says About His Politics

Now the whole world is getting a lesson in presidential coercion.

Tuchel labels England ‘sloppy’ and ‘lucky’ in spiky World Cup interview: ‘How can you ask?’

England won their World Cup 2026 contest with Norway

FIFA ‘crossed a red line’ in Folarin Balogun reprieve: UEFA

'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!' Trump wrote

World Cup guide: Controversy over Seattle pride match

World Cup guide: Controversy over Seattle pride match

Trump pressure puts FIFA in a bind, could aid Brazilian ref at World Cup

Donald Trump’s public criticism, which cast doubt on Raphael Claus’s integrity after the sending-off of American Folarin Balogun, has put FIFA in a real diplomatic and sporting crossroads and coul...

FIFA's SHOCK Decision! Why Folarin Balogun Is Allowed to Play After a Red Card | Dawn News English

FIFA has allowed US striker Folarin Balogun to remain eligible despite receiving a red card, following a review of the incident that has sparked widespread debate. The decision has drawn strong reactions from fans, football analysts, and officials, raising questions about disciplinary procedures and consistency in international football. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawn News English is your window into the latest news, insight, and features from South Asia and beyond. Website: www.dawn.com Official Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dawnnewsenglish Official Twitter: https://x.com/dawnnewsenglish Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnnewsenglish #fifa #folarinbalogun #worldcup2026 #usmnt #football #soccer #globalnews #dawnnewsenglish #news #latestnews #dawnnewsenglish #dawnnews

Lefties Melt Down Over US Men's World Cup Boost: Beg Balogun to Voluntarily Sit Out So Belgium Won't Cry

Lefties Melt Down Over US Men's World Cup Boost: Beg Balogun to Voluntarily Sit Out So Belgium Won't Cry