As stadiums buzzed with enthusiastic fans and U.S. television ratings soared, sports integrity expert Declan Hill suggests that President Trump's involvement with FIFA may have negatively impacted the success of the 2026 World Cup.
The recently concluded FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption, primarily of a political nature rather than gambling-related. Hill, an author and Associate Professor of Investigations at the University of New Haven, expressed his concerns in an interview with Gambling Insider, stating that global soccer is currently navigating a precarious path regarding its credibility and enforcement.
“The decisions made during this World Cup have really put FIFA's credibility to the test,” Hill remarked.
Hill's views resonate with others in the football community. UEFA president Aleksandr Ceferin notably boycotted the World Cup final due to FIFA's controversial decision to overturn a red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun, a move reportedly influenced by President Trump. This decision eliminated a mandatory one-game suspension during the knockout stage. The tournament also faced criticism over the contentious use of VAR technology and perceived favoritism towards the runner-up Argentinians and their star player, Lionel Messi.
While there were some murmurs of corruption involving players and officials, the predominant concerns revolved around political motives and scripted narratives. Both issues are damaging to the sport's integrity.
“What we’re really facing is the perception of credibility, which often outweighs actual credibility,” Hill noted. “A dedicated fan could watch the tournament and wonder, ‘What am I witnessing? Is this all just a performance? Can I truly trust the integrity of the sport?’ This is a significant concern for FIFA.”
The World Cup, which saw Spain triumph in a thrilling extra-time final, concluded with a mix of excitement and contradiction. The 104 matches, held across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., attracted massive crowds, with the final drawing 66.4 million viewers in the U.S., setting a record for the most-watched soccer match in American television history.
However, the tournament was marred by numerous controversial officiating decisions, inconsistent VAR application, and Hill's concerns about the cozy relationship between Trump and FIFA, which even led to the creation of a peace prize for the president prior to the event.
Soccer has long been intertwined with politics, but Trump's influence was particularly pronounced in the case of Balogun, whose red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina was seen by many as an overreach by officials. Following significant backlash regarding the reversal of Balogun's suspension from Belgian coach Rudi Garcia, the U.S. team was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium, with the players celebrating in a manner reminiscent of Trump.
For dedicated fans, reconciling these events has been challenging, even for those accustomed to the sport's long history of external influences. “A devoted fan, like myself, could watch several of these contentious calls and feel utterly confused about the inconsistencies in officiating,” Hill stated. “Trump's and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick's involvement was detrimental to the American team's performance and clearly indicated that FIFA was susceptible to external pressures.”