Swanson: Trump's World Cup meddling only made matters worse for rattled U.S. squad

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 []

Eight irritating ways America has ruined this World Cup

National anthem, hydration breaks, adverts galore - the list goes on

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

Maturing U.S. look capable of surviving without Folarin Balogun

(Photo credit: Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images)As the U.S. go deeper into the World Cup, they are confronting rising levels of adversity.After the United States breezed through Paraguay and Australia by a combined 6-1 score, the critics wondered how the players would respond when the pressure mounted.The team got its first challenge in the group-stage finale when a makeshift lineup devoid of

Dave Portnoy has ideas on how to ‘fix’ soccer

The United States of America has World Cup fever at the moment. But Dave Portnoy thinks that soccer would be even better if it could be Americanized just a bit more. This always seems to happen every time a major international soccer tournament happens, where big personalities have bold ideas on how to “fix” the

SHOWDOWN IN SEATTLE

SHOWDOWN IN SEATTLE (Main headline, 4th story, link) Related stories:TRUMP CARD: WORLD CUP CHEATS FOR USA?FIFA SPARKS FURORBELGIUM SHOCK

‘Not much faith’: the view from Brazil as they prepare to face Scotland

Debate is raging back home about whether Neymar, Casemiro, Endrick – and others – should be in the World Cup team against the Tartan ArmyThe big stars have turned up for the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal returned to the Spain team to help them thump Saudi Arabia. Lionel Messi is the tournament’s top scorer, giving Argentina hope of pinning “la cuarta estrella” to their shirts. And Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo are all vying for the Golden Boot as their teams look towards to the next stage.However, the five-time champions Brazil are failing to convince. They finished fifth in the Conmebol qualifying table with 28 points from 18 games, their worst ever qualifying campaign. Being competitive in a 2-1 defeat to France in March, before wins against Croatia, Panama and Egypt in friendlies, perhaps gave false hope. Continue reading...

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

World Cup Group-Stage Superlatives: USA's Best Moments, Top Players, Key Questions

usaaaa superlatives

Trump’s World Cup Scandal and the Business of U.S. Imperialism

The decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension following a call from Donald Trump shows how this World Cup is functioning as a gigantic image-washing operation for the U.S. government and for the economic interests that benefit from the spectacle. The post Trump’s World Cup Scandal and the Business of U.S. Imperialism appeared first on Left Voice.

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.

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.

Freaking With FIFA

Freaking With FIFA

France to walk World Cup? Only a fool would bet against England

Anybody claiming to know exactly how this World Cup will pan out is a fool. Including you. And us.

England's Quansah suspended for 2 World Cup matches

England will be without Jarell Quansah for its World Cup quarterfinal clash with Norway, as the defender serves a two-match ban for his red card during the round-of-16 win over Mexico, reported Xinhua. Following a VAR review that confirmed a high tackle on Mexico defender Jesus Gallardo, Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute of England's 3-2 victory. FIFA subsequently imposed a two-match suspension, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel with limited defensive depth for the closing stages of the tournament. England will face Norway in Miami on Saturday, while Quansah will also miss the semifinal if England advances. I just found out that it's a two-match ban, which is incredibly frustrating for us and for him, winger Bukayo Saka said on Thursday. But it's the way it is. We're not here to complain, we just need to adapt and pick a team that's ready to beat Norway. Quansah's absence will make England's task against Norway more difficult, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland having scored seven goals at the World Cup.

Belgium Fumes After FIFA Clears Balogun Following Trump Call

FIFA's decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension — after an intervention from Donald Trump — has caused fury in Belgium. Max Ramsay explains why the reversal is overshadowing their crucial match against Team USA. (Source: Bloomberg)

Risk of scandalous match in the World Cup if both teams want to lose

Risk of scandalous match in the World Cup if both teams want to lose

Historic World Cup furor at ‘incomprehensible’ FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play

“It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. The post Historic World Cup furor at ‘incomprehensible’ FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play appeared first on Boston.com.

U.S. Fans Turn on Trump After World Cup Intervention

ReutersAmerican soccer fans are blaming President Trump for the United States Men’s National Team’s elimination from the World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino and his team were given a brutal reality check by Belgium, who cruised to a 4-1 victory. The defeat came after Trump shocked the soccer world by leaning on his buddy, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, to review a red card given to U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun in their previous game. Read more at The Daily Beast.

FIFA World Cup 2026: FIFA and the US caught offside

FIFA World Cup 2026: FIFA and the US caught offside

Germany even fall behind! Is the pitch to blame for it all?

In their final group-stage match at this World Cup, the German national team are struggling badly. Against Ecuador, the defense looks shaky, and the South American side keep creating chances. But why...

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 []

Germany questions footballing identity after fresh World Cup failure

Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation. Germany’s shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions sheer drop from the game’s elite. Germany have [] The post Germany questions footballing identity after fresh World Cup failure appeared first on The Namibian.

Attention President Tinubu: Poor football management: a grave national security concern

The 2026 FIFA World Cup which kicked off June 11 is already on the home stretch. New stars have emerged while some established stars have justified their ratings. The post Attention President Tinubu: Poor football management: a grave national security concern appeared first on Vanguard News.

Les matchs à élimination directe montent en puissance : 1xBet vous présente les principales affiches des huitièmes de finale du Championnat du monde

Le plus grand tournoi de football de la planète entre dans une phase où le moindre détail peut décider de l’issue d’une rencontre. En huitièmes de finale, la marge d’erreur disparaît : une seule faute peut réduire à néant tout le parcours d’une sélection, tandis qu’un tir parfaitement placé peut ouvrir les portes du tour []

Inside the chaos of the rescheduled England match that never was - after FIFA U-turned on bringing Mexico face-off forward to avoid storm

Inside the chaos of the rescheduled England match that never was - after FIFA U-turned on bringing Mexico face-off forward to avoid storm

World Cup 2026: Wayne Rooney blasts Bruno Fernandes, others over Cristiano Ronaldo treatment

Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates following their elimination from the FIFA World Cup. It was evident that Portugal players favored passing the ball around, even when they had chances to deliver crosses into the opponent’s box for their captain to attempt a goal. Rooney specifically called out [] World Cup 2026: Wayne Rooney blasts Bruno Fernandes, others over Cristiano Ronaldo treatment

World Cup upsets, penalty drama and nail-biting endings

Late goals. Heartbreak. Penalty disasters. The World Cup knockout stage has delivered everything — including a dramatic US win. Check out Pitchside for all the latest from on and off the pitch. #worldcup #fifaworldcup #fifa #soccer #football 👉 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

Norway vs England tactical dossier: England must impose themselves - not just stop Haaland

What tactical nuances could decide Norway vs England in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in Miami? Our tactical dossier breaks down the key head-to-head clashes, threats and advantages facing Thomas Tuchel’s side.

What is the ‘Trump curse’? Theory reignites after USA World Cup elimination

What is the ‘Trump curse’? Theory reignites after USA World Cup elimination