Editorial: The World Cup’s greatest defeat

Former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter posted this message on social media last Monday: “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.”

Nothing remarkable in that, other than the fact that it was posted by the man who fell from grace in spectacular fashion, amid a raft of corruption allegations. The fact Blatter finds himself accusing FIFA of selling out tells us just how far the governing body of world football has fallen, aided and abetted by its boss’s disgraceful relationship with Donald Trump.

The 2026 World Cup has produced some outstanding matches but it will be sadly remembered for the facetious way a political leader used his friendship with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to reverse a red card given to a US player.

And it didn’t even happen behind closed doors. Trump brazenly took credit for FIFA’s unprecedented decision to allow the striker to play against Belgium despite having been sent off in the previous game. Trump openly admitted that he initially did not even know a red card carried an automatic suspension, dismissing the rule as “very unfair”. He then attacked the Brazilian referee, claiming he was “a little bit suspect if you check his past”.

Only a few years ago, the idea of a sitting president making such a statement and publicly pressuring football’s governing body to overturn a referee’s decision would have been unthinkable. Today, in Trump’s world, it has become the norm. 

Trump has built much of his political career on the belief that institutions, rules and conventions exist only until they become inconvenient. If they stand in his way, they should be bent, challenged or simply ignored.

The greater shame belongs to Infantino who capitulated to the pressure. It was embarrassing enough that he came out with a FIFA Peace prize to placate the whims of Trump.

If political influence can overturn disciplinary decisions for one country, why should anyone believe the next controversy will be handled fairly?

The World Cup occupies a unique place in global culture because billions of people follow one mantra: that every team competes under the same rules.

Supporters travel across continents, families gather in living rooms to watch their heroes because they believe victories are earned and defeats accepted within a fair system. Of course, referees make mistakes, VAR generates endless arguments and fans complain about decisions.

But if political influence can overturn disciplinary decisions for one country, why should anyone believe the next controversy will be handled fairly? If FIFA is willing to rewrite its own procedures under pressure from the world’s most powerful politician, what confidence should smaller, less influential nations have that they are competing on level terms? Do you blame teams like Iran and Egypt claiming they were unfairly treated in this tournament?

There is another, equally important consequence.

Sport constantly reminds children that rules matter. Coaches and parents teach young footballers to respect referees even when they disagree. They also learn that actions have consequences.

A red card is perhaps football’s clearest lesson in accountability. Commit a serious offence and you miss the next match. Nobody is above that principle – except, apparently, if enough political pressure is applied.

The message now being sent to millions of young fans is deeply troubling: rules are negotiable if you have sufficient connections.

Belgium went on to thump the United States 4-1 and millions around the world celebrated, not simply because the Belgians beat a team with a player who should have been ineligible but it felt like justice won over political interference.

But, sadly, the results on the pitch will never undo the damage done by Infantino and his partner in crime Trump.