USA face Belgium and World Cup date with destiny after Trump interven…

Los Angeles: The United States face the biggest day of soccer in their history on Monday as they play Belgium in what will be a spicy encounter for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after an intervention by Donald Trump further fired up the Belgians.

They are furious US star striker Folarin Balogun can play after a one match ban was suspended for a year -- the decision came after Trump phoned Fifa chief Gianni Infantino

The Royal Belgian Football Association said in a statement it had "no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match." grenadier.co.za

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the World Cup, had been set to miss the clash in Seattle after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's foot in the round-of-32 match that the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban.

Trump called Infantino asking him to review Balogun's punishment, two sources familiar with the matter told AFP.

World football's governing body said on Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US team welcomed the decision, which coach Mauricio Pochettino called "fair", but it sparked outrage from Belgium and other teams.

European football's governing body UEFA slammed the ruling declaring FIFA had "crossed a red line".

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," added UEFA in a strongly-worded statement.

The European Union also took issue with Trump's intervention.

"Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport," said EU sports commissioner Glenn Micallef.

"Our focus should instead be on the real governance challenges facing sport, including the weaponisation of sport for political purposes."

The Belgian government were non-plussed by the decision calling it "incomprehensible".

England coach Thomas Tuchel, asked about the Balogun case after having one of his own players sent off in the nerve-jangling 3-2 win against Mexico on Sunday,

said: "Where does this start and end now? Can we overturn it?

"Where to draw the line is the question I ask. Where does this end now?

"It's my question, I don't have an answer," the German added.

Tuchel's compatriot Jurgen Klopp, who is in line to become the next coach of Germany, did not mince his words.

"This is our game, not theirs... If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that's crazy. It calls everything into question...

"These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn't have anything to do with it," the 59-year-old added.

The stakes in Monday's game are huge for the co-hosts. Playing on home soil, a strong US start to the tournament has raised expectations to fever-pitch levels among the American public.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are targeting a historic run to at least the quarter-finals, which they have not reached since 2002.

In the first game Monday, European champions Spain face neighbours Portugal in Dallas for a place in the last eight.

On Sunday, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo came out fighting against critics he said had been "trying to kill me for the past 23 years".

Ronaldo, 41, admitted he was not the player he used to be, but said "I am not doing too bad", pointing to the three goals he has scored at the tournament.

Relishing taking on journalists eager to ask about his future and the harsh spotlight on him, Ronaldo told reporters: "It's been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change."

Spain started the World Cup sluggishly but found their form in breezing past Austria 3-0 in the last 32 and their own superstar, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, is ready to showcase his precocious talents, coach Luis de la Fuente said.

"He likes to be the focus, he likes the responsibility, he likes to take the initiative," said de la Fuente.

Doha, Qatar: After leading Egypt to the biggest victory in the country’s football history, Mohamed Salah revealed the message he gave his teammates before their dramatic penalty-shootout triumph over Australia: “This is a world stage. Show your footballing quality.”

History-making Egypt will need another performance of that calibre today when they take on reigning champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in a rare Round of 16 meeting between South America’s and Africa’s most decorated football nations at Atlanta Stadium.

The 16-time Copa America champions and seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners meet at 7pm Qatar time with a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia at stake.

The Pharaohs have already rewritten their record books in North America. They secured their first-ever World Cup victory during the group stage, reached the knockout rounds for the first time and now stand one win away from becoming only the fifth African nation to reach the quarter-finals.

“We made history,” Salah said after the Australia victory.

“I spoke with my teammates and told them, ‘This is a world stage. Show your footballing quality.’ I’m very happy we won the match.”

الأخبارمحطة إعداد لها بالأولمبياد.. العداءة الأمريكية أليسون تختار أسبايرتستعد العداءة الأمريكية وأسطورة ألعاب القوى أليسون فيليكس للمنافسة في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية 2028، التي تستضيفها مدينة لوس أنجلوس مسقط رأسها، انطلاقا من أكاديمية أسباير في الدوح...فتح →

The Liverpool star has inspired Hossam Hassan’s side throughout the tournament, combining leadership with creativity as Egypt emerged from Group G unbeaten before overcoming Australia in a tense shootout after a 1-1 draw.Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes part in a training session.

When asked about the prospect of facing Messi after that victory, Salah embraced the challenge.

“Everybody wants to play against the best players in the world,” he said.

This will also mark the first international meeting between Messi and Salah in national colours.

Hassan’s disciplined side have blended resilience with attacking quality throughout the tournament, refusing to be overawed on football’s biggest stage. Another composed display will be essential against a team chasing history of its own.

Argentina remain on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, but Lionel Scaloni’s men were reminded in the Round of 32 that reputations alone guarantee nothing.

After cruising through the group stage with three straight wins, the holders were pushed to the limit by African debutants Cape Verde before eventually prevailing 3-2 after extra time. The scare exposed defensive vulnerabilities and ensured Argentina arrive with renewed focus.

Scaloni acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side, while midfielder Leandro Paredes also warned against underestimating the Africans.

“It will be a very difficult match. We are at the elite level of football and all national teams are very good and physical,” Paredes said.

Messi will once again be the focal point. The Argentina captain is enjoying another record-breaking World Cup and shares the Golden Boot lead with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland on seven goals. His influence has once again driven La Albiceleste, who have reached the Round of 16 at every World Cup since 2002.

Despite their rich football traditions, Argentina and Egypt have met only once before, with the South Americans winning a 2008 friendly 2-0.

Egypt’s dream run has already produced several firsts, and another upset would send the Pharaohs into uncharted territory, while Argentina seek to keep alive their second straight title bid.

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Washington, United States: President Donald Trump confirmed Monday he asked FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to review the "horrible" decision to hand a red card to star US striker Folarin Balogun, but said he did not request it be overturned.

"I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump told reporters at the White House. "All I did was ask for a review, I didn't say you have to do this."

Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) is taking part in delivering the FIFA World Cup 2026, with several of its staff managing match operations as part of a knowledge and expertise transfer programme between the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and FIFA.

The programme draws on the organisational experience Qatar gained from hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and other major international tournaments.

QFA staff are taking on key roles at several stadiums, including overseeing operations and coordinating with participating teams, helping to deliver a seamless match experience in line with FIFA standards.

Abdulla Mohammed Jassim Al Ishaq, Deputy Match Director, New York New Jersey Stadium

Abdulla Mohammed Jassim Al Ishaq is taking part as Deputy Match Director at New York New Jersey Stadium, leading operational activities and overseeing the stadium’s readiness to host fixtures in line with FIFA requirements. His role includes managing team arrival and match coordination meetings, collaborations with participating teams and various operational bodies, as well as following up on pre-match ceremonies, pitch management, dressing rooms and match official facility readiness.

Ali Hamoud Al Nuaimi, Match Commissioner, Houston Stadium

Ali Hamoud Al Nuaimi is serving as Match Commissioner at Houston Stadium, overseeing all organisational aspects of the match and monitoring proceedings and ensuring all parties comply with tournament regulations and FIFA requirements. He is also responsible for documenting events related to the match and preparing official match reports.

Abdulla Al Ansari, Match Coordinator, Houston Stadium

Abdulla Al Ansari is working as Match Coordinator at Houston Stadium, liaising between teams and tournament management, running coordination meetings, ensuring the readiness of dressing rooms and other facilities, and managing team schedules from arrival at the stadium through to departure.

Ahmed Al Sayed, Match Coordinator, Miami Stadium

Ahmed Al Sayed is serving as Match Coordinator at Miami Stadium, handling team logistics and ensuring compliance with tournament regulations. His responsibilities also include reviewing and approving player and technical staff lists, overseeing team schedules, and coordinating with match officials, the match commissioner, media, security and the anti-doping team.

This participation reflects the growing trust placed in Qatari professionals on the international stage, and the talent Qatar continues to build through its experience organising major global events.