The Politics of Penalties: How Trump's Interference Spoils a Global Sports Moment The US Men's National Team's (USMNT) World Cup run was a story of heartwarming diversity and inspiring triumph.
But politics intervened, hijacking the narrative with the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card against Iran.
President Trump's phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino sparked a chain reaction of partisan bickering after the initial decision under Article 27 was reversed.