SEATTLE — Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House task force on the 2026 World Cup, told ESPN on Monday that he has no concerns at all over FIFA’s decision to reduce Folarin Balogun‘s suspension affecting the legacy or credibility of what the United States national team accomplishes at this tournament. In fact, Giuliani said fans outside the U.S. should be happy that an “injustice” was corrected, pointing to…
Sir Keir Starmer intervened to prevent FIFA bringing forward kick-off at the Estadio Azteca amid concerns the change could give World Cup co-hosts Mexico an unfair advantage over England. The UK Government stepped in through diplomatic channels to oppose moving the match from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. BST because it would mean Thomas Tuchel’s team had less time to adapt to the altitude, it is understood. Starmer directed the…
Jordan Henderson is expected to be ruled out for the rest of the World Cup after suffering a suspected broken bone in celebrating England’s 3-2 win over Mexico, sources have told ESPN. The 36-year-old was an unused substitute in Sunday’s dramatic round-of-16 clash at Azteca Stadium, where Harry Kane’s 60th-minute penalty and a brace from Jude Bellingham gave ten-man England a famous victory. But as he jumped over the advertising…
FIFA has ruled a request from the Belgium football federation for an explanation of Folarin Balogun‘s suspended red card as “inadmissible,” meaning they have no grounds to appeal the decision and the United States forward remains cleared to play against them in Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match. The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible in relation to the FIFA…
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card given to United States men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun in the team’s match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 at the World Cup, calling it a “horrible” call. FIFA on Sunday suspended Balogun’s red card, making him available to face Belgium in the round of 16 match later on Monday. In…
The Belgian football federation wants explanation from FIFA about a decision to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium take on the USMNT later on Monday for a spot in the quarterfinals. FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round-of-6 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from U.S. President Donald Trump…
Mexico captain Edson Álvarez has admitted his country’s elimination from the World Cup “hurts deeply” but is upbeat about the team’s future. The tournament co-hosts lost 3-2 to England in a thrilling World Cup round-of-16 encounter in Mexico City on Sunday. “The team gave it their all against a top team, yet at no point did we feel inferior,” Álvarez told TUDN after the game. “We were constantly pursuing what…
Brazil‘s early elimination from the World Cup will not change the country’s Football Confederation’s plans to continue with coach Carlo Ancelotti. The five-time world champions crashed out of the tournament after Sunday’s 2-1 round-of-16 defeat to Norway. Brazil’s national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano said after the game: “It is now up to us to emphasize the need for a cycle that proceeds normally, with a little more calmness; continuing our…
UEFA have strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to suspend USMNT striker Folarin Balogun‘s red card, thus allowing the United States striker to be available for the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. Balogun, who is the USMNT’s leading scorer at the tournament with three goals, was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during their 2-0 win in the previous round. FIFA said on Sunday…
Tottenham have shattered their transfer record for the second time this summer after announcing the signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United deal worth up to £100m ($133m.) Newcastle rejected Tottenham’s initial £75m ($100m) bid, but continuous talks led to a successful second offer sources told ESPN. Tottenham met the asking price with a package totaling £100m ($133m): an immediate £92.5m ($123m) fee plus £7.5m ($10m) in performance bonuses tied…