Gianni Infantino faces World Cup investigation that could take him down

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing calls for an investigation into the decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium in the round of 16 of World Cup 2026.

Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round but his automatic one-match ban was unilaterally suspended, making him available to a delighted Mauricio Pochettino.

The United States lost 4-1 in Seattle and Belgium will take on Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Pochettino's co-hosts have gone away but the cloud now hanging over the World Cup as a result of Balogun's non-ban has not.

Infantino has attracted widespread condemnation after the decision, which was officially independent of FIFA and its president but has been claimed as a win by the President of the United States of America.

The spectre of a phone call from Donald Trump to Infantino haunted the outcome. Infantino's close relationship with Trump adds the stink of doubt, further bringing the World Cup into disrepute.

FIFA previously moved to release Cristiano Ronaldo from a suspension that would have seen him miss the start of Portugal's tournament and Infantino's refusal to uphold the expectation that FIFA is politically neutral has mobilised European Union lawmakers.

The Athletic reports that 72 Members of the European Parliament have written to the heads of the 27 football federations that fall under EU jurisdiction, calling for an investigation into Infantino's involvement in the Balogun case.

“In light of the decision taken on Sunday to suspend the implementation of an automatic one-match suspension, we feel that it is time for European Football Associations, all of whom are member associations of FIFA, to intervene and ask that FIFA investigate the aforementioned decision-making processes” read the letter.

"FIFA’s statutory rules and code of ethics provide a very clear basis for member associations to intervene and demand an investigation. The requirement of political neutrality is clearly outlined in both the FIFA Statutes and the Code of Ethics. Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes outlines the principle whereby ‘FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion’, and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics states that all football officials must remain politically neutral, and provides for strong sanctions for violations."

The high-level political intervention marks the first meaningful manoeuvre in the long process of unseating Infantino.

Infantino's links with Trump have persistently overshadowed World Cup 2026

The United States' role as co-hosts has complicated FIFA's oversight of the World Cup.

Iran's treatment throughout the group stage directly contravened the usual requirements of a host nation and highlighted the basic question of the country's suitability to host a tournament while at war with another FIFA member.

Somali referee Omar Artan missed out on his first World Cup when he was refused entry into the United States last month.

FIFA's role around the World Cup is to protect the integrity of football and the competitions it hosts, and ensure that the co-hosts live up to the requirements set out for them.