BRUSSELS — President Donald Trump’s interference with FIFA’s disciplinary measures ahead of the U.S.-Belgium match had unintended consequences: He fired up the Belgians. After limping through the group stage and first knockout round, Belgium cleaned the floor with the U.S. in the round of 16, after Trump intervened to help overturn a suspension for America’s…
This European royal looks onto the field before his country plays in the Round of 16. That’s Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway with Princess Ingrid Alexandra. The royal siblings attended Norway’s match against Brazil on July 5, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Politics
This may be the only World Cup where Palestinian flags have so noticeably outnumbered Italian ones. At the first global tournament after Oct. 7, 2023, symbols of Palestinian solidarity have been widespread despite the fact that Palestine has never competed in a World Cup. After being adopted by teams and fans across the tournament, the…
Belgium’s sports authorities do not appear to have fully moved past the controversy that shrouded their Round of 16 matchup against the United States, but Belgian fans in Washington have. Folarin Balogun, the American striker whose red-card punishment was suspended by FIFA just before that game, is now barely top of mind. “I don’t think…
The head of FIFA’s anti-discrimination partner — which has dispatched human monitors to every World Cup match so far — said Thursday that the group has submitted “a number of reports regarding matches involving Mexico.” Piara Powar, executive director of the Fare network, declined in an interview with POLITICO to say what incidents the reports…
President Donald Trump’s call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging him to review U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card has thrust the politics of global sport back in the spotlight — and it’s raising questions about how the Olympic movement plans to navigate a White House that has an interventionist approach toward the world’s biggest…
Saturday’s quarterfinal match between England and Norway displays the world’s most prolific strikers in Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. So, who’s better? FOX Sports’ Javier Hernández and Peter Schmeichel split their votes while acknowledging the quality of both players. “Harry Kane,” Hernández said. “The difference is tiny. They’re both amazing strikers all around, but definitely…
U.S. Soccer on Thursday named Steve Cherundolo as the head coach for the U-23 Olympic team that will compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The team will soon begin preparing for the Olympics during the coming international windows, and the task at hand is enormously important to the full national team. With the U.S….
While Erling Haaland’s on-field performance has established Norway at this World Cup, his off-field personality and digital presence have further catapulted his status. On the field, Haaland has scored seven goals in four matches, positioning himself at the center of the race for the tournament Golden Boot. He remains locked in a tight competition with…
On Friday in Los Angeles, Spain extended its fantastic record against Belgium, leaving it late once again. Goals from Fabián Ruiz and a stoppage-time winner from super-sub Mikel Merino secured a 2-1 victory and a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals. Spain has now gone 12 matches unbeaten against Belgium, including six straight wins…
