Trump threatens America's World Cup goodwill with one phone call
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World Cup fans' romance with America has soured after FIFA suspended a red-card ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun for the match against Belgium.
Why it matters: Soccer officials and fans allege that FIFA is bending its own disciplinary rules under political pressure from President Trump — raising questions about whether the sport's governing body is giving the U.S. a boost due to the president's close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Catch up quick: FIFA ultimately used Article 27 of its disciplinary code — which allows its independent disciplinary committee to suspend all or part of a punishment and instead place a player on probation — to suspend Balogun's red card.
- FIFA initially said the red-card suspension couldn't be appealed, just extended, but reversed course after Trump called Infantino.
- "All I did was ask for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. I didn't tell him what to do. I can't tell him what to do," Trump told reporters Monday in the Oval Office when asked about the call.
Zoom in: Global soccer leaders and executives scolded FIFA and Trump for their roles in the saga, with UEFA — which represents most of Europe's soccer federations — ripping FIFA for the turnabout, writing that the "integrity of the game is at stake."
- The Royal Belgian Football Association also requested that FIFA further explain its ruling and questioned Balogun's eligibility.
Many have decried the Trump administration for getting involved and FIFA for rubbing shoulders with politicians, while others have suggested Belgium refuse to play.
- "Football must never become a playground for political power," said former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was charged and later acquitted of defrauding FIFA.
Zoom out: Even Americans who embraced the World Cup's celebratory atmosphere worry the controversy will sour the tournament's positive vibes and taint the hard work of the U.S. team.
- Others have suggested Balogun should decline to play, or that U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino shouldn't put him on the pitch.
- FIFA's reversal means "it's now (even more so) U.S. vs. world. Any support, affinity, or benefit of doubt from [the] rest of [the] world just went out the window," former U.S. soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas wrote on X.
Flashback: The controversy likely marks the end of a love affair between World Cup tourists and American culture, especially as the U.S.'s reputation abroad has become a mixed bag.
- In the World Cup's opening weeks, international fans flooded social media to praise college football stadiums, American restaurants and gas stations.
Case in point: The Scots drank Boston dry, a Japan fan's heartwarming post about getting free chips and salsa went viral and fans in Texas went wild at Buc-ee's.
The bottom line: A tournament that showcased America's friendlier side is now facing a controversy that threatens to overshadow all that goodwill.
