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Until last weekend, the World Cup had mostly been a refuge from the nightmare that is American politics. That changed when we learned that Donald Trump had called the president of tournament organizer FIFA in an apparent attempt to reverse the suspension of a star U.S. player. So today we’re breaking down the controversy roiling what was supposed to be our happy place.
Back up. Who got suspended and why?
The U.S. made World Cup history last week, becoming one of the tournament’s final 16 teams for the first time in decades after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0. But the victory came with an asterisk: Folarin Balogun, a Brooklyn-born striker who leads the team in goals, got a red card for fouling an opposing player. The foul came with a one-game suspension, barring Balogun from playing against Belgium tonight at 8 Eastern.
And so Trump … did what?
According to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, top Trump officials conspired to challenge Balogun’s suspension. They reportedly helped work the president up, casting the red card as a black eye for the U.S. Trump eventually called Gianni Infantino, who leads FIFA, urging him to review the call. On Sunday, FIFA said it would punt Balogun’s suspension for a year, clearing him to play tonight. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump crowed in response.
Why would Infantino cave?
Maybe because he’s an assiduous Trump sycophant who recently made up a peace prize to give to our Nobel-craving president. Publicly, Infantino acknowledged their phone call but says it isn’t why Balogun’s suspension got bumped. Trump likewise claims he “didn’t tell him what to do.” Mm-hmm.
How are people reacting?
Belgium is, unsurprisingly, apoplectic; it unsuccessfully appealed FIFA’s decision. The reversal has also angered soccer fans around the world, fueling claims that Trump used his clout as the leader of this year’s host country to boost his team’s chances. Norway’s coach called it a “bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup.”
Is a global soccer tournament ever really free of politics?
Despite Infantino’s claim that FIFA’s independence is “essential to the credibility and integrity of football,” the organization has had its share of scandals. Benito Mussolini used the World Cup to propagandize fascism when Italy hosted back in 1934. Argentina’s military dictatorship papered over human rights abuses when it hosted in 1978, as did Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. In 2015, a corruption scandal toppled a previous FIFA president. Trump’s intervention arguably has lower stakes—but it’s striking in part because of how petty it is.
OK, but how are Americans feeling about it?
Some, presumably, are thrilled that Balogun is back. But the way it happened casts a shadow over tonight’s match. And the whole thing is so Trumpian. As his former fixer Michael Cohen has explained, Trump rarely makes explicit demands; he instead uses coded language that leaves room for plausible deniability, “much like a mobster would do.” Now the whole world is getting a lesson in presidential coercion.
Illustration by Tolga Akdoğan
Whew! Now that you’re caught up, it’s time to unwind. Here are some fun reads to help keep the weekend energy going:
A chatty debrief on Taylor and Travis’ wedding: We have to hand it to Taylor Swift—it’s a real feat that she managed to keep many details of her Friday wedding to Travis Kelce under wraps. But after combing through the info we do have, Slate’s Heather Schwedel renders this brutally honest verdict.
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There Are Many Things That Could Increase the Birth Rate. This Major One Is Usually Ignored.
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We’re Not Doomed to Live With This Supreme Court’s Mistakes
The origins of America’s greatest cocktail: As part of Slate’s celebration of 250 years of alcohol-soaked American history, Jordan Weissmann penned an ode to the drink that, he argues, captures the American spirit more than any other. His choice might surprise you.
The fascinating tale of how the U.S. earned its reputation for decadent fried food: Quick, close your eyes and think of the most American dish you can. Are you picturing something along the lines of, say, “burgers stuffed with bacon folded into a pepperoni pizza, with wieners lining the crust”? Chason Gordon asks whether there’s more to American cuisine than amber waves of grease.
Do you know the name of this specific fear? It can be tough to get back into the swing of things after a long weekend. Warm up those brain muscles with our daily quiz, which tests the limits of your vocabulary.
Some Trump-free World Cup: Iberian neighbors Portugal and Spain faced off this afternoon, and the round of 16 continues tomorrow at noon Eastern with Argentina vs. Egypt. Here’s the full tournament schedule.
Congratulations on making it through the first workday after a summer long weekend! We hope you have a great evening, perhaps with your favorite beverage in hand.
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