# FIFA under fire: Infantino back in the spotlight, England Conquer the Azteca, and Trump's gaze lands on the World Cup

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/america-2026-a-world-cup-podcast-7773210/fifa-under-fire-infantino-back-in-the-spotlight-england-conquer-the-azteca-and-trump-s-gaze-lands-on-the-world-cup
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/america-2026-a-world-cup-podcast-7773210/fifa-under-fire-infantino-back-in-the-spotlight-england-conquer-the-azteca-and-trump-s-gaze-lands-on-the-world-cup.md
Podcast: [America 2026: A World Cup podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/america-2026-a-world-cup-podcast-7773210)
Published: 2026-07-06T20:51:10+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/irish-times-sport/episodes/fifa-under-fire-infantino-back-in-the-spotlight-england-conq
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/69ab015a6ffdcd8188961ba6/e/6a4c153f01771200e4d791fa/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/america-2026-a-world-cup-podcast-7773210/episodes/fifa-under-fire-infantino-back-in-the-spotlight-england-conquer-the-azteca-and-trump-s-gaze-lands-on-the-world-cup
Duration seconds: 3303

## Resource

There was a real expectation heading into this tournament that off-field issues would wreak havoc on World Cup 2026. It's had its moments, but nothing has come close to the news of the past couple of days. FIFA has rescinded the red-card suspension of USA star striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to face Belgium tonight. They did so, primarily, at the request of President Donald Trump. The fallout has been messy: bodies like UEFA have condemned the decision in the strongest possible terms, and things will likely only get stranger from here. Miguel Delaney, chief football writer for The Independent and author of the superb "States of Play," joins Paul Howard to pick apart the saga and where it goes next. Miguel also reports back from the Azteca, where England marched into the next round by handing Mexico just their third home defeat there in 90 games. Plus, Kevin Kilbane joins us from Vancouver, where the co-hosts' run at the tournament is over. Though not without another Jesse Marsch zinger or two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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