US Soccer VP accuses Infantino of 'betrayal' over Trump ties and Balogun case

Nathán Goldberg Crenier, vice president of the United States Soccer Federation, has publicly accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of betraying soccer's core values by courting Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup. In an editorial published by The Guardian, Crenier wrote that Infantino made a "Faustian bargain" with the U.S. president, tarnishing the sport's reputation.

Crenier, elected to his US Soccer role in 2024, said Infantino tried to ingratiate himself with Trump to secure preferential treatment from the American government for FIFA. The vice president argued that aligning with Trump, whose political project is "rooted in division, selfishness and violence," harms soccer's inclusive and democratic image. The editorial appeared ahead of the World Cup final, which Spain went on to win.

Crenier specifically highlighted FIFA's decision to overturn the red card shown to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun before the team's Round of 16 match against Belgium. Balogun had been suspended but was allowed to play after FIFA intervened. Crenier called the episode a moment that "dragged soccer through the mud" and said "the biggest casualty was soccer's integrity." The U.S. was eliminated by Belgium in that round.

Why it matters

• Crenier says Infantino's actions harm soccer and threaten 'the soul' of the game.
• The Balogun suspension reversal is cited as proof of political meddling in FIFA decisions.
• The criticism comes from a senior U.S. Soccer official during the first World Cup hosted partly by the United States.
• Spain won the 2026 tournament, which was co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Infantino has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. The debate over FIFA's relationship with political leadership is likely to continue as the sport's governing body prepares for its next major events.