Expert: Trump-FIFA ties dent World Cup credibility

Declan Hill, an associate professor at the University of New Haven and a longtime investigator of sports corruption, said ties between U.S. officials and FIFA harmed perceptions of the recent World Cup after FIFA overturned a suspension for Folarin Balogun. Hill linked the reversal to intervention by the U.S. president and other American officials, saying it created the impression that political influence affected tournament decisions.

Balogun received a second yellow card in the group-stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which normally triggers an automatic one-game ban. FIFA later rescinded the suspension, allowing the player to remain available for subsequent matches. The United States was eliminated 4-1 by Belgium in the Round of 16. The U.S. team’s postgame celebration included the president’s public appearance at the stadium.

The rescission prompted protests within the sport. UEFA president Aleksandr Ceferin declined to attend the World Cup final in protest of FIFA’s handling of the Balogun case. Spanish league president Javier Tebas described the episode as “the tip of the iceberg” of a governance model that has weakened FIFA’s credibility.

Integrity monitors also reported unusual betting activity linked to World Cup fixtures. An international advisory group that tracks match manipulation flagged several instances of irregular wagering during the tournament. Hill and a research team at the University of New Haven analyzed betting patterns across the event and said they will publish their findings in a forthcoming blog post. Betting volume rose on legal U.S. sportsbooks, but most wagers were placed through offshore platforms, which Hill said complicates tracing and official review.

Hill noted the FBI took part in tournament security operations. He expressed concern that political factors connected to the U.S. administration could affect how investigators handle any post-tournament revelations. Hill said agencies involved in security and integrity work may face conflicts if political interests intersect with investigations.

Officials, players and fans also criticized a number of on-field decisions and inconsistent uses of video assistant referee technology during the tournament. The World Cup was staged across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States and included 104 matches. Spain won the final in extra time.

“Perception of credibility is more important than actual credibility,” Hill said, describing how a series of controversial calls and visible political support for one national team could shape public trust in the competition. He added that his team will continue to review officiating patterns and betting data and will release analytical results when available.