U.S. Soccer Federation vice president Nathán Goldberg Crenier criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino for cultivating a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of and during the 2026 World Cup, according to Yahoo Sports reported. In an editorial for The Guardian, Crenier urged soccer federation leaders worldwide to oppose Infantino’s management decisions and said his leadership threatens “the soul of the sport.”
Crenier also cited FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USMNT forward Folarin Balogun before the United States played Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Balogun was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on Tarek Muharemović’s ankle, and Trump reportedly called Infantino to ask him to review the one-game ban. Crenier further pointed to Infantino awarding Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., and said the actions amounted to “debasing our sport again and again.”
WORLD CUP | U.S. Soccer Vice President Criticizes Infantino Over Trump Ties
2026-07-19 20:50:18
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