Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.The US president was mocked by Belgium’s players after Rudi Garcia’s side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cup’s integrity.In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.Follow all of the reaction and latest fallout with our World Cup live blog below:Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 12:45Fifa Disciplinary Committee takes swipe at Uefa over criticism of Folarin Balogun ban decisionFifa has dismissed criticism from Uefa after being accused of “crossing a red line” in its handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card and suspending the one-game ban to enable the USA striker to play in the World Cup last 16 tie against Belgium.Jack Rathborn7 July 2026 12:30England consider Jarell Quansah red card appeal after Fifa set Balogun precedentEngland say they are “considering all options” regarding an appeal of Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico on Sunday night.Three Lions defender Quansah, starting just his second World Cup 2026 match, was sent off in the 54th minute after a VAR review for a studs-up tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo.The sending off means Quansah is currently suspended for the quarter-final tie against Norway on Saturday and, via the rulebook, there is no formal grounds for an appeal.However, the “suspension” of Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban on Sunday – meaning the USA striker could play against Belgium on Monday – has changed the game somewhat. Fifa invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, essentially handing Balogun a “probationary” sanction, and US president Donald Trump admitted on Monday that he called Fifa president Gianni Infantino to consider wiping Balogun’s ban.Miguel Delaney7 July 2026 12:00Fifa refereeing chief praises official criticised by TrumpThe match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ last-16 tie against Belgium which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.Fifa issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (the referees team) at the Fifa World Cup”.It added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”Folarin Balogun of the U.S. is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus (Reuters)Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 11:30Miguel Delaney7 July 2026 11:10USA manager Mauricio Pochettino disappointed over 'politics and manipulation'Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention.The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the last 16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.They did so with star man Folarin Balogun included in the starting line-up after the one-match ban he incurred for his dismissal during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump revealing he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the situation.Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”Mauricio Pochettino was disappointed after the USA’s defeat (AP)Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 11:00Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World CupDonald Trump’s intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter lawfare in footballMiguel Delaney7 July 2026 10:30Belgium manager reveals what he told Folarin Balogun after win over USA: ‘It’s not his fault’Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has revealed that Folarin Balogun sought him out for a chat after the United States striker’s controversial involvement in the World Cup round of 16 clash.Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 10:15Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 10:00Starmer stepped in to stop Fifa bringing forward Mexico kick-off timeIs it just Donald Trump interfering in the World Cup? It seems Sir Keir Starmer may have had some input in England and Mexico’s clash going ahead as originally scheduled. Holly Evans reports.Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 09:45