Overview
- On July 1, Nation sports editor David Zirin told Joy Reid’s podcast he was hoping the U.S. would lose so a U.S. victory could not be “exploited,” and Reid said she was openly rooting for African teams.
- The same day U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a contentious red card in the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina that would have suspended him for the next game.
- FIFA reviewed the decision and on Monday suspended Balogun’s red card, restoring his eligibility for the U.S. Round of 16 match.
- President Donald Trump confirmed he phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review, a move that has raised questions about political contacts with sport governing bodies.
- Coverage has split along partisan lines with right-leaning outlets criticizing Reid and Zirin as unpatriotic and other outlets emphasizing the political framing of the World Cup; experts note FIFA has an internal review process but say the episode could increase calls for clearer rules on outside influence.