World Cup 2026 LIVE: Trump taunted by Belgium after Fifa scandal as Infantino faces calls to resign

Fifa has dismissed criticism from Uefa after being accused of “crossing a red line” in its handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card and suspending the one-game ban to enable the USA striker to play in the World Cup last 16 tie against Belgium.

England say they are “considering all options” regarding an appeal of Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico on Sunday night.

The sending off means Quansah is currently suspended for the quarter-final tie against Norway on Saturday and, via the rulebook, there is no formal grounds for an appeal.

The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.

Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ last-16 tie against Belgium which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.

Fifa issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (the referees team) at the Fifa World Cup”.

It added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”

Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention.

The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the last 16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.

They did so with star man Folarin Balogun included in the starting line-up after the one-match ban he incurred for his dismissal during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump revealing he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the situation.

Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.

“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?

“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.

“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”

Donald Trump’s 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 lawfare in football