Swipe for next article
Liveupdated
World Cup 2026 LIVE: Trump taunted by Belgium after Fifa scandal as Infantino faces calls to resign
The US president was mocked by Belgiumâs players after the tournament co-hosts were beaten 4-1 in Seattle
Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trumpâs intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.
The US president was mocked by Belgiumâs players after Rudi Garciaâs side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogunâs one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the strikerâs red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cupâs integrity.
In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.
Follow all of the reaction and latest fallout with our World Cup live blog below:
ANALYSIS: Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
Donald Trumpâs intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter âlawfareâ in football:
Gianni Infantinoâs Trumpification of the World Cup only leads to one thing
Donald Trumpâs intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter âlawfareâ in football
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 17:30
Belgium mock Trump's dance move in dressing room after crushing win vs USA
Belgium particularly enjoyed rubbing it in after easing past the USMNT in Seattle.
After Romelu Lukakuâs goal, the Red Devils mocked President Donald Trumpâs dance.
And the squad did so again in the dressing room after the match.
Jack Rathborn7 July 2026 17:15
Follow Argentina vs Egypt LIVE
Weâll have plenty more fallout from the Donald Trump/Fifa saga to come, but if you want to follow todayâs first helping of round of 16 action, kick off is imminent in Atlanta â will Lionel Messi and Argentina march on?
Argentina v Egypt LIVE: Team news and latest updates from World Cup clash
Two of the finest players of their generations clash with a last-eight place on the line
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 17:00
Former USMNT coach claims Mauricio Pochettino misused Christian Pulisic at World Cup
âI feel like the people have high expectations of what he should be doing, I know Christian very well, I know what his strengths are,â former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter told Coachesâ Corner.
âHe scores a lot of goals by arriving in the penalty box. How often did he get into the penalty box in the last game or even in the World Cup? He's very good at combining and in one-v-one situations.
âThat's how we need to use him. I don't think he was in those positions enough in the game.
âWhen you look at the right side of the field. They have to get the ball into the penalty box for Christian to really thrive and arrive, I don't know if the right side did that too often.
âI know by his standards, he would have wanted more in this World Cup, to score and be more impactful, but I think it's a case of how he was used."
Jack Rathborn7 July 2026 16:45
Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USAâs power â on and off the pitch
Out in the last 16 â again. What to make of the USAâs World Cup campaign? Richard Jolly asks that very question.
Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USAâs power â on and off the pitch
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
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 16:30
VOTE: Should Gianni Infantino resign?
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 16:00
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
Here is how Gianni Infantino explained the Donald Trump phone call yesterday.
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
The Fifa president released a statement explaining his conversation with Trump did not influence the decision of the independent Fifa Disciplinary Committee
Michael Jones7 July 2026 15:45
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: âThe ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhereâ
Want to know more about the relationship between Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump? Miguel Delaney has you covered with this excellent piece from before the World Cup.
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: âThe ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhereâ
The Fifa presidentâs âfawning and adorationâ has also been described as careful âmanagementâ of the unpredictable Trump ahead of this World Cup, reports Miguel Delaney. But at what cost, and will it even matter?
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 15:30
Downing Street clarifies Starmerâs role in England World Cup kick-off talks amid political interference row
Downing Street has moved to clarify Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmerâs involvement in discussions surrounding the kick-off time for Englandâs World Cup match against Mexico, amid a wider controversy concerning potential political interference in Fifa by American president Donald Trump.
Downing Street clarifies Starmerâs role in England World Cup kick-off talks
It was revealed earlier this week that Starmer played a role in ensuring Englandâs kick-off time against Mexico was not brought forward
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 15:15
How Donald Trump has ruined the World Cup as well as America
The scenes from the World Cup have, at times, been reminiscent of a different era in global politics and a different America. Scottish football fans somehow managed to drink Boston out of lager. Skinny Europeans wondered at Texas-size portions on TikTok. Americans stood amazed at Japanese fans cleaning up the stadiums after their games. On the streets, there were festivals of celebrated difference and shared joy. Meanwhile the US government have continued its pursuit of random acts of cruelty: banning a Somali referee and forcing Iranian players to leave the country immediately after games. Its most recent controversy saw it abusing or ignoring the rules to nullify one of its playersâ red cards. The tournament displayed, loudly, a reality that the world has been figuring out quietly since the beginning of the second Trump administration: Americans are one thing. America is quite another.
How Donald Trump has ruined the World Cup as well as America
Whether it was the presidentâs intervention in a playerâs red card, his unpredictable attitude towards war in Iran or the divisive actions of ICE, the United States is becoming a country where the actions of its government must be separated from the will of its people, writes Stephen Marche
Stephen Marche7 July 2026 15:00
Liveupdated
World Cup 2026 LIVE: Trump taunted by Belgium after Fifa scandal as Infantino faces calls to resign
The US president was mocked by Belgiumâs players after the tournament co-hosts were beaten 4-1 in Seattle
Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trumpâs intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.
The US president was mocked by Belgiumâs players after Rudi Garciaâs side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogunâs one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the strikerâs red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cupâs integrity.
In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.
Follow all of the reaction and latest fallout with our World Cup live blog below:
ANALYSIS: Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
Donald Trumpâs intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter âlawfareâ in football:
Gianni Infantinoâs Trumpification of the World Cup only leads to one thing
Donald Trumpâs intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter âlawfareâ in football
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 17:30
Belgium mock Trump's dance move in dressing room after crushing win vs USA
Belgium particularly enjoyed rubbing it in after easing past the USMNT in Seattle.
After Romelu Lukakuâs goal, the Red Devils mocked President Donald Trumpâs dance.
And the squad did so again in the dressing room after the match.
Jack Rathborn7 July 2026 17:15
Follow Argentina vs Egypt LIVE
Weâll have plenty more fallout from the Donald Trump/Fifa saga to come, but if you want to follow todayâs first helping of round of 16 action, kick off is imminent in Atlanta â will Lionel Messi and Argentina march on?
Argentina v Egypt LIVE: Team news and latest updates from World Cup clash
Two of the finest players of their generations clash with a last-eight place on the line
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 17:00
Former USMNT coach claims Mauricio Pochettino misused Christian Pulisic at World Cup
âI feel like the people have high expectations of what he should be doing, I know Christian very well, I know what his strengths are,â former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter told Coachesâ Corner.
âHe scores a lot of goals by arriving in the penalty box. How often did he get into the penalty box in the last game or even in the World Cup? He's very good at combining and in one-v-one situations.
âThat's how we need to use him. I don't think he was in those positions enough in the game.
âWhen you look at the right side of the field. They have to get the ball into the penalty box for Christian to really thrive and arrive, I don't know if the right side did that too often.
âI know by his standards, he would have wanted more in this World Cup, to score and be more impactful, but I think it's a case of how he was used."
Jack Rathborn7 July 2026 16:45
Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USAâs power â on and off the pitch
Out in the last 16 â again. What to make of the USAâs World Cup campaign? Richard Jolly asks that very question.
Why World Cup exit showed the limits to the USAâs power â on and off the pitch
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
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 16:30
VOTE: Should Gianni Infantino resign?
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 16:00
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
Here is how Gianni Infantino explained the Donald Trump phone call yesterday.
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
The Fifa president released a statement explaining his conversation with Trump did not influence the decision of the independent Fifa Disciplinary Committee
Michael Jones7 July 2026 15:45
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: âThe ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhereâ
Want to know more about the relationship between Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump? Miguel Delaney has you covered with this excellent piece from before the World Cup.
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: âThe ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhereâ
The Fifa presidentâs âfawning and adorationâ has also been described as careful âmanagementâ of the unpredictable Trump ahead of this World Cup, reports Miguel Delaney. But at what cost, and will it even matter?
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 15:30
Downing Street clarifies Starmerâs role in England World Cup kick-off talks amid political interference row
Downing Street has moved to clarify Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmerâs involvement in discussions surrounding the kick-off time for Englandâs World Cup match against Mexico, amid a wider controversy concerning potential political interference in Fifa by American president Donald Trump.
Downing Street clarifies Starmerâs role in England World Cup kick-off talks
It was revealed earlier this week that Starmer played a role in ensuring Englandâs kick-off time against Mexico was not brought forward
Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 15:15
How Donald Trump has ruined the World Cup as well as America
The scenes from the World Cup have, at times, been reminiscent of a different era in global politics and a different America. Scottish football fans somehow managed to drink Boston out of lager. Skinny Europeans wondered at Texas-size portions on TikTok. Americans stood amazed at Japanese fans cleaning up the stadiums after their games. On the streets, there were festivals of celebrated difference and shared joy. Meanwhile the US government have continued its pursuit of random acts of cruelty: banning a Somali referee and forcing Iranian players to leave the country immediately after games. Its most recent controversy saw it abusing or ignoring the rules to nullify one of its playersâ red cards. The tournament displayed, loudly, a reality that the world has been figuring out quietly since the beginning of the second Trump administration: Americans are one thing. America is quite another.
How Donald Trump has ruined the World Cup as well as America
Whether it was the presidentâs intervention in a playerâs red card, his unpredictable attitude towards war in Iran or the divisive actions of ICE, the United States is becoming a country where the actions of its government must be separated from the will of its people, writes Stephen Marche
Stephen Marche7 July 2026 15:00
