"Fifa gate": When Politics Meets Football, the Rules Go Out the Window The 2026 World Cup has been marred by controversy from its inception, but the latest development in the saga surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun's one match ban takes the cake.
The fact that Fifa intervened to suspend the automatic ban just hours before Belgium's last 16 match against the US is a slap in the face not only to fair play but also to the integrity of the tournament itself.
US President Donald Trump waded into the fray, asking Fifa to review the decision, sparking a frenzy of reactions from coaches and players.