FIFA, Trump and Balogun: The scandal that shook the World Cup

On Sunday, The Athletic broke the world exclusive that USA striker Folarin Balogun's ban for the USMNT's round of 16 tie against Belgium had been suspended. Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon, who broke the news, join Ian Irving and Cerys Jones to look back on the controversy, which included the involvement of US President Donald Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the USA's game with Belgium. Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard shares his perspective from a players' perspective as to the impact the whole episode will have had on the USA's preparations for the game, while Jerry Brewer, senior columnist for The Athletic gives his view on the damage the controversy will have on soccer in the USA as well as US Soccer. Host: Ian Irving With: Cerys Jones, Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon Featuring: Tim Howard and Jerry Brewer Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody Timecodes:v 00:00 - Intro 02:48 - How this controversy started 05:50 - The process of breaking the story 08:34 - Donald Trump’s involvement 15:45 - Tim Howard on the impact on the USMNT's game with Belgium 19:57 - Reaction within the US with Jerry Brewer 27:55 - How much power does Trump have over Infantino? 31:30 - Discussion of the day: Most controversial World Cup moment? 33:56 - Implications for FIFA and Gianni Infantino 39:24 - ‘Do You Know?’ Daily Quiz 40:40 - Are Morocco France’s biggest test yet? The Athletic FC Podcast is your essential guide to football's biggest stories, six times a week during the World Cup... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69AAB4o... Subscribe to The Athletic FC Podcast channel 👉 http://bit.ly/athleticuk | 🔔Make sure to enable all push notifications!🔔 Follow The Athletic FC Podcast: Instagram: @theathleticfc TikTok: athleticfcpod Thumbnail: Win McNamee / Staff / Getty Images News via Getty Images Luke Hales / Staff / Getty Images Sport  via Getty Images DIRK WAEM / Contributor / AFP via Getty Images #worldcup #fifa #usmnt #trump #donaldtrump