Donald Trump has never shied away from the limelight and is expected to bask in the attention that accompanies a World Cup final.
The President of the United States of America has been noticeably absent during the entire competition, having not attended a single game so far. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t made a mark on world football’s biggest stage.
The 80-year-old is expected to be present at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the World Cup final. Spain qualified with a comfortable victory against the favourites, France.
However, it’s clear to see where Trump’s loyalties will likely lie for the huge clash. Matters away from the pitch have led to significant tension between the US and Spain in recent times, and the President hasn’t minced his words when discussing the European nation.
During a recent NATO meeting, he stated that he wanted to cut off all trade relations with Spain. He even went as far as calling the country ‘a wasted cause’.
“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore, by the way. I’d like to cut it off. Spain is a terrible partner in NATO.
“They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
Continuing his rant, the American leader labelled the nation ‘hopeless’ and said ‘we don’t want anything to do with them’.
He added: “Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits. We don’t want anything to do (with them). Watch them come running back… but we don’t have to trade with them.
“They’re hopeless, bad people because they have everybody else going and paying and working.”
Spain Can Embarrass Donald Trump at the World Cup
Albert Gea via Reuters
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, actually claimed relations between the two countries were ‘very positive’. He also revealed a brief football-related conversation he had with Trump.
He explained (according to talkSPORT): “We talked about the World Cup… there was no tension whatsoever, on the contrary, it was all very friendly.”
Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign another midfielder alongside Manu Kone this summer, according to Mark Goldbridge.
The Red Devils made upgrading their midfield options a priority this summer, and have already completed deals to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for a combined £85m, while Karl Darlow has arrived on a free transfer to strengthen the goalkeeper department.
But the club are still keen to bring in additional reinforcements for Michael Carrick after Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury and Casemiro’s exit, which has seen the club hold talks over a move for AS Roma star Kone.
Man Utd Eyeing Another Midfielder
Kone, who shone for France at the World Cup before their elimination at the semi-final stage to Spain, is expected to leave the Serie A club this summer, and is understood to be available for around £50m.
According to Goldbridge, who is known to have inside information through his YouTube channel, there is another star being targeted, although that player is not Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga, despite reports.
“Kone is ongoing and there is one other midfielder United are considering,” he wrote. “Not Camavinga at this stage.”
While United have been busy in the market this summer, and there are a number of names being linked with a move to the club, its fair to say that there was little talk about the deals they have got done until they were done.
There has been a lot of talk about Manu Kone in recent days, and while the interest is clearly there, INEOS have been very careful in this window and it’s likely that the unnamed target is being left unnamed for a reason – they don’t want it to leak.
A third midfielder is expected to arrive in this window, and Carrick will know exactly what he wants, so it will be very interesting to see who they are able to bring in before the season begins.
A petition urging FIFA to take serious action against Argentina has reached more than 10 million signatures following the reigning champions’ dramatic 2-1 win over England on Wednesday night.
The Three Lions were denied an opportunity to reach their first World Cup final in 60 years, despite having scored the opening goal through Anthony Gordon in the second-half. Lionel Messi proved his inevitability to produce two assists, first for Enzo Fernandez’s long-range equaliser, and then again for Lautaro Martinez’s headed winner as La Albiceleste turned on the style.
Argentina have long faced ‘corruption’ calls this summer, though, and it appears that accusations from their opponents have reached boiling point this week.
Viral Petition Urges FIFA to Take Serious Action Against Argentina
REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Argentina’s World Cup campaign has been surrounded by controversy after millions of fans signed an online petition demanding that the defending champions be removed from the tournament, alleging that referees and FIFA have shown favouritism toward Messi and his team. The petition, found with lots of pop-ups on Argentinaout.com, states:
“It is obvious that Fifa and the referees are biased toward Lionel Messi and Argentina. Why should the rest of the world compete when the winner has already been decided? Kick Argentina out of the World Cup and give everyone else a fair chance.”
The main source of anger stems from another come-from-behind victory as Lionel Scaloni’s side scored three goals in 14 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 in the quarter-final.
Egypt furiously argued that a goal scored by them was disallowed after a review for an earlier foul, while Argentina’s late winning goal was allowed to stand despite claims of a foul during the build-up. Meanwhile, claims were made that Mohamed Salah should have been awarded a penalty
The 2026 World Cup has brought in the introduction of multiple new rules, some a lot stranger than others. But one that seemed to make sense was the banning of players covering their mouths when in conversation with an opponent.
Following this event, FIFA introduced a law, often called the ‘Prestianni rule’, ahead of the World Cup tournament that prohibits players from covering their mouths when talking to opponents, and they will be given a red card if they are caught doing so.
It has been seen being used in effect during the World Cup, when Miguel Almiron was sent off for Paraguay against Turkey after he covered his mouth in conversation with a Turkey player.
Harry Kane Goes Unpunished Against Argentina
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck
Harry Kane could’ve put himself in a tricky situation during England’s World Cup tie against Argentina when he appeared to cover his mouth during talks with the referee. It looked to be an innocent mistake, and Kane only appeared to have covered his mouth for a matter of seconds, but it was enough for Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes to go rushing to the referee, reminding him of the rule that Kane should be sent off.
However, referee Ismail Elfath was completely uninterested in what Paredes had to say regarding the matter, and waved away any claims of Kane being punished, with the referee much more focused on trying to remember who should be receiving the yellow card in his hand.
Why Harry Kane Was Right To Avoid Red Card
David Butler Ii via Reuters
Whilst the rules do explicitly say that players who cover their mouths will be shown a red card, there have been multiple scenarios where players have avoided punishment after committing the offence during the tournament.
Although the law does sound harsh, there is, luckily, some room for interpretation around the rules that does allow players like Kane to avoid unfair punishment.
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Refereeing legend and FIFA’s Head of Referees, Pierluigi Collina, was very open before the tournament regarding the rule, and insisted the rule wasn’t there to catch out any innocent culprits.
Per the BBC, Collina said: “Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and a shirt because they may chat with friends. It’s normal for players to chat with their friends before, during, or after the match.
“So if the conversation is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem.”
“When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”
The quotes from Collina are very clear as to why players like Kane haven’t been sent off when covering their mouths. Not only was Kane not talking to a player, but he was also not in a confrontational situation with the referee, and was merely communicating with him as he is the England Captain.
Jude Bellingham faced a similar scenario during England’s game against Ghana, when the Real Madrid star covered his mouth when talking to his opponent. However, after a VAR review, it was clear that neither player was in a confrontation and was having a normal chat with each other, so Bellingham wasn’t sent off.
It’s a rule that has caused controversy throughout the tournament, but it is a rule that protects players from discrimination, and if used correctly, it will only catch the true perpetrators.
