
Trump’s Forgotten Soccer Roots and His Push for a U.S. World Cup Legacy
Donald Trump’s high school soccer record was never unbeaten, but his recent soccer‑focused initiatives signal a renewed effort to embed the sport in America’s cultural fabric.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Gianni Infantino across Soccer, Football, Basketball.

Donald Trump’s high school soccer record was never unbeaten, but his recent soccer‑focused initiatives signal a renewed effort to embed the sport in America’s cultural fabric.

A recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to overturn a red‑card ban for Nigerian‑born midfielder Folarin Balogun has drawn a formal complaint from Norway's football federation, raising concerns about FIFA's neutrality.

The Israeli Defense Forces claim that several Palestinian footballers killed in recent strikes were also militants tied to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a narrative that has sparked international controversy and a series of sanctions.

Norwegian officials say FIFA's decision to lift a red‑card ban for striker Folarin Balogun was swayed by external pressure from the United States, prompting a formal complaint and raising concerns about political meddling in football governance.

Megan Rapinoe told The Daily Show that a red‑card reversal, prompted by a call with former President Donald Trump, cost the United States momentum and contributed to their defeat by Belgium.

From record-breaking streetcar rides to small‑business lessons, Kansas City evaluates the summer's global soccer frenzy and looks ahead to upcoming international competitions.

From a novel seeding system that reshapes knockout paths to a newly minted FIFA Peace Prize bestowed on former U.S. President Donald Trump, the build‑up to the 2026 World Cup is marked by procedural changes, hydration breaks, and allegations of favoritism.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says a larger World Cup could reflect the growing quality of teams worldwide, pointing to the recent success of the 48‑team tournament.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined plans for a potentially larger World Cup, defended the current 48‑team format, and addressed safety and commercial concerns surrounding the tournament.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that discussions on expanding the World Cup to 64 teams will begin after the current edition, citing the success of the 48‑team format and the tournament's growing financial impact.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has outlined a plan to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, spreading matches across six nations and three continents, while European and North American officials voice opposition.

The U.S. men's national team was eliminated in the round of 16 despite high expectations, revealing pay‑for‑play barriers, a lack of tactical identity, and competition from other sports that together shape the nation's soccer challenges.

FIFA's political entanglements, from U.S. pressure to alleged bias in Palestinian rights, reveal a federation increasingly acting as a diplomatic tool rather than a guardian of sport.

England secured a 2‑1 victory over Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in Miami, drawing a glittering audience that included football legends, music icons and royalty

South African forward Jayden Adams died at 25 shortly after the 2026 World Cup, leaving a legacy of club triumphs and national milestones. Authorities are probing the cause as the football community mourns.

Harry Kane described a surreal round of golf with former U.S. President Donald Trump, praised his game, and discussed England’s upcoming World Cup quarter‑final against Norway, where he will face Erling Haaland.

The sudden passing of 25‑year‑old midfielder Jayden Adams, a key figure in South Africa’s historic 2026 World Cup run, has sent shockwaves through the sport and the nation.

FIFA barred two U.S. Soccer officials from the Belgium match after protocol breaches, while a controversial red‑card decision involving striker Folarin Balogun was overturned following a call from President Donald Trump. The U.S. lost 4‑1 and was eliminated, with manager Mauricio Pochettino attributing the defeat to performance issues.

A long‑standing ritual sees children walking onto the pitch with players, choosing companions, and leaving with free soccer balls, a practice whose origins remain unknown to FIFA.

The United States was eliminated by Belgium in Seattle after a 4-1 loss, marking the fourth time in five tournaments the U.S. has exited at the Round of 16. The match featured early promise, a swift reversal of momentum, and a controversy involving a suspended player that drew political attention.

A conversation at the Peace Arch port reveals FIFA’s hidden preferences, the vibrant fan scene, and the broader cultural impact of the World Cup in the Pacific Northwest.

England's defensive lineup has been hit by a setback that could reshape their World Cup campaign, with FIFA's disciplinary rules sparking controversy across several teams.

A complaint filed by FairSquare accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino of breaching political neutrality rules by supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and awarding him a FIFA Peace Prize, prompting scrutiny from the International Olympic Committee.

A dispute over a World Cup player's red‑card decision has drawn the International Olympic Committee into a political row surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has cultivated close ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump.