When all is said and done on the 2026 World Cup, it will be remembered for some brilliant moments off the pitch, but some uncomfortable ones away from it as well. In particular, the actions of FIFA president Gianni Infantino have raised eyebrows in the football community.
In the build-up to the tournament, despite Mexico and Canada also hosting the competition, Infantino only seemed interested in cosying up to United States president Donald Trump. Some within FIFA were said to have been left feeling ‘deep embarrassment’ after watching their boss hand Trump the inaugural peace prize, while the Swiss football administrator was also accused of breaking FIFA rules by wearing a MAGA-style red hat in February.
During the World Cup, his relationship with Trump has sparked even more debate, as the US president appeared to lean on Infantino as FIFA decided to allow USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite his red card in the previous game. Following that controversy, European lawmakers are now gathering support to launch an investigation in the European Parliament.
Balogun Controversy Could Spark Investigation into Infantino
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Balogun picked up a red card in the USMNT’s Last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. In normal circumstances, he would have been suspended for the next game, but after intervention from Trump, FIFA allowed the 25-year-old forward to start against Belgium. The US lost the match 4-1, but the unprecedented decision to suspend Balogun’s suspension for one year continues to spark debate.
European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang have now revealed plans to investigate Infantino for his involvement in the controversy. In a joint statement, they said that FIFA’s decision to “change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.
“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration.”
As per ESPN, the lawmakers are asking the national football associations of the EU countries to spur the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino and whether pressure from the Trump administration was a factor in the lifting of the suspension, as well as “other potential breaches of political neutrality” like awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
The lawmakers said that 35 colleagues have so far signed the letter, with the statement added:
“The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window.”
In response to the backlash, FIFA reasoned that the lifting of the suspension was a decision of a disciplinary committee. This situation between Trump, Infantino and the US could be viewed as ‘political interference’, which has previously been cited by FIFA as a reason to ban 10 nations from footballing events.
“All I did was I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. Again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.”
Adding to this, the Guardian have reported that Trump made three calls to FIFA to ensure that the change was made. That said, he denied that Infantino made the final decision, suggesting it was down to a seperate committee: “I didn’t tell them what to do. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe he [Infantino] made the decision.
“I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, number one, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players. How would you feel if you took [Lionel] Messi, or [Cristiano] Ronaldo or Harry Kane out? You can’t do that.”
Arsenal already know their top two targets as they look to strengthen out wide this summer. The Gunners have two clear priorities during this window in terms of positions, with a left-winger and a number 8 on the shopping list for Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners need to find clear upgrades this summer as they look to take the next step in Europe as well as staying ahead of their Premier League rivals. Arsenal are expected to spend big again this summer after huge spending over the last couple of years, and their primary target alone could cost them well over £100million, with a British-record transfer being mooted.
Romano explains order of Arsenal’s main winger targets
Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Speaking on his YouTube show, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said: “(Bradley) Barcola is also appreciated by Arsenal, but he’s not position number one. Position number one is Morgan Rogers, position number two is Barcola, and there are more options in terms of wingers, so that’s the situation at Arsenal, then it’s important to mention for Paris Saint-Germain [he] is not untouchable because the new contract talks are completely, completely on standby, standby for long time. So Barcola and PSG, at the moment, there is no agreement over new deal, and also it is important to say PSG would ask important money, so who’s going to sign Barcola?”
Rogers is likely to cost well over £100million this summer, and there are reports he could cost a British-record £130million. Aston Villa are very reluctant to sell, and there is every chance Arsenal could turn to Barcola.
Barcola a cheaper option than Rogers
Action Images
The latest report is that Barcola can leave PSG for around £77million, which would make him a much cheaper signing than Rogers, even if the wages are likely to be very big.
The Frenchman has been an important player for PSG, scoring 13 times last season, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has kept him out of his best position on the left. Kvaratskhelia is likely the best left winger in the world currently, so Barcola is unlikely to see any change in Luis Enrique’s plans any time soon.
Barcola is still only 23 years of age, so he could be a player whose value could yet rise if he continues his current trajectory. Meanwhile, Rogers’ cost means Arsenal will likely never make their money back, but the young England talent is a proven Premier League commodity who arguably has a bigger ceiling.
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has told the club he wishes to leave this summer to join Arsenal, according to David Ornstein.
The Magpies have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m, while Sandro Tonali completed a £100m move to Tottenham Hotspur this week, with Eddie Howe looking to rebuild his squad.
But they have now been rocked by the wishes of the Brazil international, with the Gunners ready to make a mega bid to take him to north London.
Bruno Guimaraes Tells Newcastle He Wants to Join Arsenal
via Reuters
Guimaraes has just finished representing Brazil at the World Cup, where he enjoyed an excellent tournament but couldn’t help the five-time winners past the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Erling Haaland’s Norway side.
But he has now informed Newcastle bosses that he wishes to leave this summer after the club failed to qualify for Europe, and he wants to join Arsenal in the summer window.
The Gunners have made it clear they would be willing to pay up to £60m for the 28-year-old, and are now preparing to make a formal offer. No club-to-club contact has been made yet, although Arsenal did have a verbal enquiry worth around £55m rejected by the Magpies earlier this month.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign midfielder Andrey Santos, according to David Ornstein.
The Red Devils have been in the market to bolster their midfield options this summer, but missed out on deals to sign their top targets Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes, after they moved to Man City and Tottenham Hotspur for £116m and £85m respectively.
But INEOS have now secured their second midfield signing of the summer after agreeing a fee with Premier League rivals Chelsea for the Brazil international.
Man Utd Agree £50m Deal to Sign Andrey Santos
Santos, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been a long-term target for INEOS, and a deal has now been struck worth a fixed fee of £48m, plus a further £2m in easily achievable add-ons for the 22-year-old.
Personal terms are already in place, and permission has now been given to the midfielder to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Old Trafford. Chelsea have also secured a 10% sell-on clause as part of the deal.
