All articles tagged with #infantino
Mike Florio reports that Balogun’s suspension was decided by a single FIFA Disciplinary Committee chair, Mohammad al-Kamali, rather than the full panel, a departure from standard practice that raises questions about independence and possible outside influence on FIFA leadership, with the piece calling for scrutiny and reforms to prevent similar issues.
FIFA is evaluating a 64-team format for the 2030 World Cup after expanding to 48 teams in 2026, with president Gianni Infantino saying wider participation across continents should be encouraged and smaller nations deserve a chance to dream of the tournament. The next edition is expected to be hosted mainly by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says expanding the 2026-format 48-team World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament is being studied, arguing it would broaden global participation beyond Europe and South America. The 2030 edition is planned as a multi-continent event with early matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay and remaining games in Morocco, Portugal and Spain; the proposal will be reviewed by relevant committees after the 2026 tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the governing body will formally study expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, which is to be hosted mainly by Morocco, Portugal and Spain with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The move aims to broaden global participation and benefit developing football nations, but it faces pushback from figures like UEFA’s Ceferin and CONCACAF’s Montagliani who warn it could dilute quality, while supporters stress the tournament should be accessible to more countries.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams will be assessed after the 2026 edition, arguing the tournament should be for the whole world and noting the 48-team format has been a huge success. He cited greater participation from smaller nations and potential revenue benefits, but warned that such expansion would bring hosting and qualification challenges, and no immediate decision is expected.
EU lawmakers urge an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino after FIFA lifted Balogun’s red-card suspension following a call from Donald Trump, arguing the mid-tournament rule change smacks of ethics violations and political influence; the live updates also address Hakimi’s rape case and the Mbappé racism row with a Paraguayan senator, plus the France–Morocco reconciliation and heightened security ahead of a World Cup quarterfinal.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under renewed fire after the U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension was lifted, reportedly following a call from President Trump; the move has spurred a complaint from human-rights group FairSquare to the IOC over political neutrality, and about 35 European lawmakers are urging FIFA ethics authorities to investigate possible U.S. government pressure and other neutrality breaches amid talk Infantino favors Argentina in the World Cup.
An opinion piece argues that Infantino’s regime over FIFA, amplified by Trump’s meddling in Balogun’s red card, threatens football’s integrity by mixing governance with showmanship; despite ethics complaints and calls for accountability, the World Cup endures as a global spectacle, while the episode tests Infantino’s grip on power ahead of next year’s FIFA election.
The European Parliament is pressing football associations to formally investigate FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the reversal of Balogun's red-card suspension, amid claims the US administration pressured FIFA. The letter seeks accountability for senior FIFA officials and reflects Trump’s acknowledged call to Infantino on the matter, a reversal UEFA and others have condemned as unjustifiable, with signatures being gathered ahead of a deadline.
Belgium crushed the USA 4-1 in a World Cup match, prompting nationwide celebrations while the event was overshadowed by Donald Trump’s lobbying to overturn striker Balogun’s suspension. The excitement included fan gatherings, social-media memes, and celebrations that mocked Trump, with Lukaku scoring the final goal and the team mimicking his dance. Belgium’s King Philippe plans to attend the upcoming quarter-final in Los Angeles, as NATO spending debates and national pride intertwine with football folklore.
A politically charged World Cup unfolds around FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the USMNT’s loss to Belgium and reports that Trump allies pressed to overturn Balogun’s ban trigger accusations of political interference, drawing European protests even as FIFA maintains independence and the tournament presses on.
FIFA reversed USA forward Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension after a call from President Donald Trump, prompting accusations of political influence over football and sparking wide criticism from experts, coaches, and former officials who warn it undermines the sport's independence.
President Trump reportedly pressed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension, and FIFA’s disciplinary committee then suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. Critics—EU officials, UEFA, and Belgium—call the move inappropriate political interference, while FIFA defends its independence. The episode underscores ongoing tensions between politics and sport at the World Cup.
President Trump said he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, calling it unfair; FIFA’s disciplinary panel reversed the suspension, allowing Balogun to play Belgium, triggering international backlash from UEFA and European officials who warned the move undermines soccer rules and the U.S. image abroad.
Trump said he personally asked FIFA president Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, insisting he did not pressure FIFA; FIFA later lifted Balogun’s automatic one‑match ban under a 12‑month probation, prompting strong criticism from UEFA, Belgium and others who say the move undermines the integrity and independence of the disciplinary process.