FIFA World Cup 2026: Widespread Criticism of Trump’s Intervention, But Why Might Infantino Remain Unaffected?
Image source, Reuters
Gianni Infantino has been FIFA’s president for 10 years. Next year, he may once again enter the electoral arena as a candidate for office.
From the FIFA Peace Award to the excessively expensive World Cup tickets and the Club World Cup, his tenure has been marked by controversy.
But could the referee’s sudden reversal of the red card given to American player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate in the match against Belgium, become a stumbling block for Infantino?
World Cup 2026: Intervention by Co-Host
The United States, a co-host nation, counts Balogun as its star player, having scored three goals in the tournament.
However, as Balogun received a red card in the prior match, permitting him to play against Belgium contravened FIFA rules.
Balogun participated in the game on Monday night, though the U.S. suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
FIFA issued an 871-word statement 24 hours after the decision was reversed, but it did not explain why the decision was altered. Another individual clarified.
“I am the one who made that decision,” said former U.S. President Donald Trump when asked about directing Infantino.
He said he had only asked for a reconsideration of the red card decision, not to overturn the match suspension.
Yet, from the perspective of international football, such intervention is serious.
In the U.S., it is argued that Balogun was unfairly given the red card. The expulsion during the Bosnia-Herzegovina match was deemed sufficient punishment, and missing the next game is considered inappropriate.
Trump echoed this sentiment.
Infantino’s Response
Image source, PA
Infantino asserted that there was no political interference and that the disciplinary committee operated independently.
Yet, perceptions about the matter also matter.
This decision did not benefit just a single team but favored the co-host country, led by Trump, whom Infantino refers to as an ally.
This can be viewed akin to a presidential pardon.
Strong Criticism
“This is our game, not theirs,” said Liverpool’s former manager Jürgen Klopp.
“If Trump and Infantino make this a secret deal, it would be a blow to the sport, raising questions from every angle.”
But will this controversy impact Infantino’s position?
FIFA clearly rejects political interference in its regulations.
When governments intervene in national football associations, FIFA suspends those associations.
For example, Pakistan has been suspended three times over the past eight years.
But are the rules different when it involves Infantino and Trump?
Trump received the new FIFA Peace Award last year amid accusations of rule violations, leading to a complaint filed with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December.
When no hearing took place, 50 European Parliament members wrote to the Ethics Committee.
Dispute with the European Union
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has sharply criticized FIFA over the handling of the Balogun case.
FIFA described the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unacceptable.”
This is not the first disagreement between UEFA and FIFA.
In May 2025, UEFA’s president and European representatives demonstrated opposition at the FIFA Congress.
After the US government refused to admit a Somali referee for the World Cup, UEFA appointed him as a referee for the Super Cup match.
UEFA has also protested the high cost of World Cup tickets, noting the upcoming Euro 2028 tickets will be much cheaper.
Infantino was previously associated with UEFA.
Could this situation threaten Infantino’s position?
In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. Infantino remains popular among many football federations worldwide.
His FIFA Forward program has expanded investment in global football projects, and the World Cup expansion has also created new opportunities.
This time, 16 additional countries have participated, with nations like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan beginning to dream big.
This year FIFA is generating revenue of nine billion dollars.
UEFA may express criticism given its own significant resources.
However, other member nations depend greatly on FIFA and Infantino. FIFA has 211 member associations; to win the presidency, a candidate needs 106 votes.
In April, 10 South American football federations publicly supported Infantino. Three weeks later, the African federation with 54 members and the Asian federation with 47 members also declared support.
This means Infantino has already secured 111 votes and is unlikely to be defeated.
Re-elected in 2019 and 2023, it seems difficult for him to lose in 2027.
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