Fifa have been accused of “fixing” the World Cup as a furious Egypt criticised the “injustice” of their controversial exit to Argentina.
Inspired by Lionel Messi, the defending champions roared back from 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals in a dramatic encounter in Atlanta – but Egypt felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. Striker Mostafa Zico subsequently claimed the competition had been “fixed”, with manager Hossam Hassan suggesting that Fifa wanted to keep the holders in the competition. The Egyptian FA has now demanded an investigation.
The last eight line-up is now confirmed with Switzerland taking the final spot in the quarter-finals after progressing past Colombia on penalties. On-field matters, though, have been overshadowed in the last two days by the ongoing fallout to the apparent intervention of Donald Trump in the suspending of the ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun – with Fifa president Gianni Infantino facing calls to resign over the matter.
Follow all of the reaction and latest fallout with our World Cup live blog below:
Read MoreHow a box-office World Cup descended into fury and farce to leave Fifa with a huge problem
Egypt furious at controversial referee decisions and claim World Cup ‘directed towards Argentina’
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
World Cup 2026 LIVE
- Egypt accuse Fifa of 'fixing' World Cup after exit to Argentina
- Lionel Messi-led defending champions came from 2-0 down to reach quarter-finals
- Switzerland sealed final spot in last eight after win on penalties over Colombia
- Fallout continues to Donald Trump intervention in Folarin Balogun red card
- Fifa president Gianni Infantino facing calls to resign
Who will reach the semi-finals?
17:00 , Mike JonesSpain take on Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but which team will progress?
Have your say with our score predictor below:
Former USMNT coach claims Mauricio Pochettino misused Christian Pulisic at World Cup
16:45 , Mike Jones”I feel like the people have high expectations of what he should be doing, I know Christian very well, I know what his strengths are,” former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter told Coaches’ Corner.
“He scores a lot of goals by arriving in the penalty box. How often did he get into the penalty box in the last game or even in the World Cup? He's very good at combining and in one-v-one situations.
“That's how we need to use him. I don't think he was in those positions enough in the game.
“When you look at the right side of the field. They have to get the ball into the penalty box for Christian to really thrive and arrive, I don't know if the right side did that too often.
“I know by his standards, he would have wanted more in this World Cup, to score and be more impactful, but I think it's a case of how he was used."
Gregg Berhalter claims Belgium 'not that much better' than USMNT
16:30 , Mike Jones"To me they're not that much better, if you look at transfer market value, Belgium XI is $270m, we're about $240m, it's not a huge gap, I just think we didn't have a good day,” Berhalter tells Coaches’ Corner.
“That's part of it, tactically we could've done things better, but we were off it. When you look at how many passes were missed.
“That's not normal. It's a faster level and a better opponent. McKennie plays in the Champions League, he's used to that level, it's not normal that he misses that many passes."
Pochettino in candid assessment of USMNT
16:15 , Mike Jones"We didn't show our real quality as a team," Pochettino told a press conference.
"We never connected with the game. Belgium were better than us, and that's it.
"It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the World Cup, when that happens in a knockout stage, you are out and you need to go home."
Who will reach the semi-finals?
16:00 , Mike JonesFrance take on Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but which team will progress?
Have your say with our score predictor below:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
15:45 , Will Castle1. France 🇫🇷 ↔️
France are the team to beat at this World Cup. While their closest challengers on the other side of the bracket have, so far, been carried by one exceptional superstar, Didier Deschamps has put together a so far untouchable unit powered by its unleashed attacking ranks.
They hit 10 goals in the group stage before adding three more to no reply against Sweden to progress to the last 16 - and while their 1-0 win over Paraguay last time out wasn’t as emphatic as previous results, some leeway can be given due to the - let’s be honest - shameful tactics of the South American side.
Kylian Mbappe’s penalty winner took his all-time World Cup tally to 19 goals - sorry Mirsolav Klose, your record has been blown out of the water twice this tournament.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
15:30 , Will Castle2. Spain 🇪🇸 ↔️
Spain came into this tournament as the favourites but didn’t exactly show that right from the outset, unlike their two main challengers either side of them in these rankings. That frustrating opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in Group H delivered one of the early shocks of the World Cup, though with Lamine Yamal back fit in the side they managed build up some steam - first with the thrashing of Saudi Arabia (as they were expected to do) before sealing top spot in the group by overcoming Uruguay in a fiery clash. In the knockouts, however, Spain are beginning to really look like potential winners.
After brushing Austria aside in a 3-0 last-32 win, Spain broke Portuguese hearts (including Cristiano Ronaldo’s) courtesy of a last-gasp Mikel Merino winner to seal their place in the quarter-finals. It wasn’t the most spectacular performance in a largely cagey affair, granted, but dumping out a big hitter will always get you points, no matter the method.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
15:15 , Will Castle3. England 🏴 ⬆️
They’ve only gone and got us dreaming again. After nearly succumbing to another “Iceland moment” in a narrow, late comeback win over DR Congo in the last-32, many had England pegged to go out to co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca (did you know it’s quite high up?), a fortress of Mexican football where only two away teams had ever won in a competitive match. What ensued was one of the best England performances in World Cup history.
After surviving the early expected wave of Mexican pressure, Jude Bellingham’s stunning brace in a minute put the Three Lions in control. England’s resolve went on to be seriously tested, however - their lead was cut in half not once but twice, with the teams trading penalties after the break, and they played much of the second half with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off (get on the blower to Gianni, Keir!).
Those last 20 minutes of normal time, plus 11 agonising minutes in stoppages, were some of the longest in memory. But after putting in the defensive shift of their lives - Dan Burn, I’m pointing at you - Thomas Tuchel’s men got over the line in Mexico City. National pride spiked at 4am, a World Cup dream renewed. To quote the late, great Eddie Guerrero, viva la raza. Norway next.
Who will reach the semi-finals?
15:00 , Mike JonesEngland take on Norway in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but which team will progress?
Have your say with our score predictor below:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
14:45 , Will Castle4. Argentina 🇦🇷 ⬇️
It is still very much the Lionel Messi show when it comes to Argentina - though his goals are now becoming a sub-plot of a turbulent knockout stage so far for the holders. After a narrow extra-time win over an admirable Cape Verde side took a bit of the shine off a flawless group stage, their World Cup now surrounded by refereeing controversy after coming from two down to scrape past Egypt.
The Pharaohs had a goal disallowed in the first half for a foul many considered way too far back in the build-up to justify action, while Mohamed Salah thought he should have had a penalty before the Argentina counter-attacked and found their stoppage-time winner.
Mostafa Ziko, who saw his goal chalked off before scoring anyway in the second half, has accused the World Cup of being “fixed” as a result. It’s an ugly look for Argentina, whose very lucky - and arguably wrongful - escape against a significantly weaker side pushes them down in these rankings.
Egypt demand Fifa kick referees out of World Cup after ‘double standards’ against Argentina
14:35 , Will CastleEgypt have filed an official complaint to Fifa demanding the “exclusion” of referees from the World Cup after their controversial loss to Argentina.
Holders Argentina pulled off a miraculous late comeback in the last-16, winning 3-2 after trailing 2-0 to the Pharaohs, who had a goal controversially disallowed and protested angrily over a perceived foul in the build-up to Enzo Fernandez’s winning goal.
Mostafa Ziko was denied a goal at 1-0 to Egypt, while Mohamed Salah claimed a penalty before the Albiceleste counter-attacked, leading to Fernandez’s headed goal in stoppage time.
Egypt demand Fifa kick referees out of World Cup after Argentina loss
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
14:30 , Will Castle5. Morocco 🇲🇦 ⬆️
The Afcon (sort of) champions impressed in the group stage, especially in their opening draw against Brazil where they were the better side, but were punished for not scoring big against Scotland or Haiti as they ran out second in Group C, setting up a match with big hitters Netherlands in the round of 32’s most-stacked tie.
Cue a match filled with last drama and one of the most bewildering penalty shootouts in World Cup history, which saw five out of 10 spot-kicks missed - with Morocco the victors. After inflicting one of the two biggest eliminations of the last-32, Morocco have now dumped out one of the hosts in a dominant win over Canada, and are very much succeeding in their bid to prove their 2022 semi-final run was no fluke.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
14:15 , Will Castle6. Norway 🇳🇴 ⬆️
Norway hadn’t been at a World Cup in 28 years before making their return to the global stage in North America - they now look like they’re here to stay.
Powered by Erling Haaland’s goals, they head to the quarter-finals off the back of the biggest scalp in their history, dumping out five-time winners Brazil in an upset that, on paper, looks seismic, but was actually very much on the cards if you’d watched both teams this tournament.
Haaland scored both in the 2-0 win in New Jersey (because of course he did) to propel himself among Messi and Mbappe in the golden boot race, and now stares down the barrel of a last-eight meeting with the Three Lions - unfortunately for Tuchel, Haaland has a knack for scoring against English defences.
Who will reach the semi-finals?
14:00 , Mike JonesArgentina take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but which team will progress?
Have your say with our score predictor below:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
13:45 , Will Castle7. Belgium 🇧🇪 ⬆️
The people’s team. Belgium were faced with an injustice and a very possible breach of sporting integrity heading into their last-16 clash with hosts USA when their top scorer Balogun saw his red card ban was “suspended” by Fifa, which followed a call from US president Donald Trump to his good chum Gianni Infantino. Spark the entire footballing world (apart from the Americans) rooting against those great United States. And boy, did we get a successful hate watch.
While Belgium are not what they used to be after seeing their golden generation pass them by, Rudi Garcia’s team clearly had extra fire in their belly courtesy of the controversy as they dismantled the dismal hosts in a 4-1 win. “Overturn this,” posted Belgium on their official social media accounts.
They beat the odds stacked against them by Mr Trump, but can they do it again by overcoming one of the tournament favourites in Spain next up? We think that’s a long shot.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
13:30 , Will Castle8. Switzerland🇨🇭⬆️
You can’t really be classed as getting the wooden spoon as a World Cup quarter-finalist but if it has to be given out, Switzerland are the receivers as the victor of the most uneventful last-16 tie by a country mile.
The Swiss are into the quarter-finals after edging Colombia on penalties, following a goalless draw. The first time they’ve reached the last-eight in 72 years, Switzerland have finally broken their last-16 curse - they’d exited the competition five times just before the quarters since that 1954 run.
They’re charged with eliminating holders Argentina in the next round - safe to say they’ll have the whole of Egypt rooting for them, too.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Gianni Infantino resign?
13:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow a box-office World Cup descended into fury and farce to leave Fifa with a huge problem
13:00 , Miguel DelaneyAs Lionel Messi was lifted into the air, and the Egyptian players sank to the ground, it was a scene beyond most cinema.
Or, as they say here, prime-time TV. This was box office. Any director would have loved all of this, right up to the unique soundtrack of the Argentina fans.
There have been so many similar moments at this World Cup, where the drama has been sensational and driven all emotions to extremes. Just look at how Messi and his manager were in tears.
How a box-office World Cup descended into fury and farce
EU lawmakers call for probe of FIFA boss over Trump contact before US-Belgium match
12:45 , Mike JonesDozens of European lawmakers are gathering support to launch an investigation in the European Parliament of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino over his involvement in the decision to permit U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite an earlier red card.
Balogun was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which normally would make him ineligible to play in team's next game, but FIFA lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.
European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang said in a joint statement that FIFAs decision to “change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration," the statement said.
Fox Sports pundits Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas clash during intense Balogun red card debate
12:35 , Mike JonesThierry Henry and Alexi Lalas were engaged in a tense argument over Fifa’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s suspension during Fox Sport’s World Cup 2026 coverage.
The United States forward was handed a reprieve by Fifa after President Donald Trump intervened and encouraged Fifa President Gianni Infantino to review the one-game suspension after a sending off against Bosnia.
Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee pointed to article 27 of their Disciplinary Code to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban for a period of 12 months, while also fining the player and the USMNT $40,000 between the two parties, despite Uefa accusing the world governing body of “crossing a red line”.
The USMNT eventually lost 4-1 to Belgium, with Henry claiming that Trump’s intervention and Fifa’s decision inspired the international team where he previously held a role as assistant coach.
And Henry explained his stance clearly once again, telling anchor Rebecca Lowe: “What I said, I don't think people understood, when I raised Article 27, that was sarcasm, I thought people would understand that, but they didn't, so I'll say it again, I do agree with the fact that it wasn't a red, because if I was a player I wouldn't have accepted that, I don't agree with how they rescinded the red. What Fifa did wasn't right, it was the right thing in terms of not giving the red. It should have been a decision on the field, not after three or four days, I didn't agree with that at all.”
Fifa set to begin negotiations over future World Cup rights
12:25 , Mike JonesFifa will begin talks over broadcasting rights for the next World Cup in the next three months, reports CNBC.
Netflix, Disney and YouTube are interested in the US TV rights packages.
The total cost could reach $2bn. And the rights in English and Spanish could be combined.
Could Russia move closer to Fifa return?
12:13 , Mike JonesRussia moved closer Tuesday toward having a full team with its national flag and anthem at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies to end a three-year program where Russian athletes had to be vetted for permission to compete as neutrals.
The IOC said the timing was because qualifying events are starting for the L.A. games, and “the need to offer equal access to these competitions to all athletes.”
The move, which also signals a return for Russia in team sports, was expected since the IOC advised two months ago that athletes from Belarus, which was Russia’s ally when its military invasion of Ukraine started in 2022, should be allowed again to compete with their full national identity.
“We don’t want to hold athletes accountable for the actions of their governments,” IOC president Kirsty Coventry said at an online news conference after she chaired an executive board meeting.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist swimming for Zimbabwe, Coventry said it was a fair decision and noted: “I wouldn’t be sitting here if I had to pay the price when my country was going through things and being sanctioned.”
And attention will turn to Fifa and Uefa, and whether their bans on Russia will remain, should the IOC soften its stance or lift the ban on the Russian flag and anthem.
Two USMNT staff suspended in unrelated case to Balogun furore
12:04 , Mike JonesTwo staff members of the U.S. soccer team were suspended by FIFA from Monday's round of 16 game against Belgium.
FIFA did not explain why it imposed the discipline on team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell.
The USSF did not give a reason Tuesday other than to say it was not related to the successful effort to have forward Folarin Balogun's one-game, red-card suspension lifted.
Zapatka has been the team's administrative manager since 2020 and has worked for the USSF since 2015.
The U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Fifa panel head George Weah condemns *reprehensible abuse* of Kylian Mbappe
11:55 , Mike JonesRacist abuse aimed at France striker Kylian Mbappe during the World Cup has been condemned by the captain of FIFA’s players’ voice panel, George Weah.
Mbappe was targeted by abusive comments from Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after his penalty eliminated the South American nation from the competition last Saturday.
Mbappe has responded to the abuse from the senator, describing it as “despicable”, and now Weah says his panel is fully behind the Real Madrid forward.
“We stand in complete solidarity with Kylian Mbappe and condemn this reprehensible abuse in the strongest possible terms,” former Paris St Germain and AC Milan forward Weah said.
“Football must always be a game of respect, inclusion and unity. There can be zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. Our message is clear: racism can never be part of the game. It’s a crime.”
Sir Keir Starmer exchanged banter with Norway PM
11:46 , Mike JonesSir Keir Starmer exchanged banter with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store ahead of their countries’ clash in the Fifa World Cup.
Following a meeting at the British ambassador’s residence in Ankara, Turkey, the pair appeared in football shirts.
Mr Store reminded Sir Keir of a match that Norway won.
He said: “Forty-five years ago, Prime Minister, Norway played England in the qualification and we won.
“And the radio commentators said ‘Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your boys took one hell of a beating’.”
Sir Keir replied: “What you’re leaving out is that England only win the World Cup under Labour governments – 1966 – so the time is ours.”
Mr Store said: “Wait and see, it will be a great match.”
VOTE: Predict the score of all four quarter-finals
11:34 , Mike JonesGianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
11:25 , Mike JonesDonald Trump’s intervention in the Folarin Balogun furore has opened the Fifa president to his most fierce criticism yet, writes Miguel Delaney, and may pave the way for more bitter ‘lawfare’ in football.
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of the World Cup only leads to one thing
Gary Lineker suggests United States should have left Folarin Balogun out
11:15 , Mike JonesGary Lineker believes the United States should have left Folarin Balogun out of their team to face Belgium in the World Cup last 16 even after the controversial decision to suspend his one-match ban.
Balogun was initially banned for Monday’s match because of his red card in the last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Wednesday, but Fifa’s disciplinary committee announced on Sunday that the ban had been suspended.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday he had personally lobbied FIfa counterpart Gianni Infantino on the topic, leading to accusations that FIfa had been swayed by political interference, something strictly prohibited under its statutes.
Balogun’s presence did not ultimately help the Americans, who lost 4-1, and former England forward Lineker believed the team could have taken a stand on the issue by continuing to leave him out.
“It would have been a good play for either Balogun or (head coach) Mauricio Pochettino to just say, ‘actually, I don’t think that’s right for football, the integrity of the game, the integrity of the sport’,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast .“And I wonder whether they were better off just saying, ‘Actually, we’re going to leave him out anyway’.”
Trump intervention 'very, very embarrassing for USMNT and Fifa, claims Stephen A Smith
11:05 , Mike Jones"It's one thing to speak your piece, it's another entirely to pick up the phone and call Infantino and have that kind of influence,” ESPN’s Stephen A Smith said on his YouTube channel.
“He has a fascination with Trump, but you can't play favourites, as a the President of Fifa, you can't do that, you have to care how things look. He might not care, but you're supposed to. It's not what happened here, so it became a controversy, with Belgium highly motivated, they didn't just beat USA, they whipped USA's arse.
“It was a kind of arse-kicking that had all of us, 'we were inferior to this team', then to go up there and score, do the Trump dance, mocking the President, put on their page, 'overule that', very, very embarrassing.”
VOTE: Should Gianni Infantino resign?
10:55 , Mike JonesBelgium glee at 'justice' over USMNT after Trump intervention
10:45 , Mike Jones“There’s always a justice somewhere in life,” Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin said.
“The fact that something happened like that, we don’t think that was fair. And today, I think it just brings us a little bit of (motivation) that we needed to win the game.”
Belgium particularly enjoyed rubbing it in after easing past the USMNT in Seattle.
After Romelu Lukaku’s goal, the Red Devils mocked President Donald Trump’s dance.
And the squad did so again in the dressing room after the match.
Ils ont réitéré dans le vestiaire 😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/4oPXdhRSfT
— Belgium Touch 🇧🇪 (@BelgiumTouch) July 7, 2026
Belgium mock Trump's dance move after beating USA
10:35 , Mike JonesBelgium knocked the United States out of the World Cup after a 4-1 mauling and decided to mock Donald Trump following their final goal.
Take a look:
Fifa refereeing chief praises official criticised by Trump
10:25 , Mike JonesThe match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.
Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ last-16 tie against Belgium which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.
Fifa issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (the referees team) at the Fifa World Cup”.
It added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: ‘The ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhere’
10:15 , Mike JonesThe Fifa president’s ‘fawning and adoration’ has also been described as careful ‘management’ of the unpredictable Trump ahead of this World Cup, reports Miguel Delaney.
But at what cost, and will it even matter?
Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: ‘The ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhere’
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino disappointed over 'politics and manipulation'
10:05 , Mike JonesMauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention.
The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the last 16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.
They did so with star man Folarin Balogun included in the starting line-up after the one-match ban he incurred for his dismissal during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump revealing he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the situation.
Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.
“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?
“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.
“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”
Will Gianni Infantino resign?
09:55 , Mike JonesNo, one would presume.
Fifa’s president seems to have a position of supreme strength at the top of global football’s governing body.
He’s twice won re-election unopposed since his elevation to the role in 2016, and Infantino has already said he intends to run again for another four-year term in 2027.
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
09:45 , Mike JonesFifa President Gianni Infantino has been forced to clarify a conversation he had with US president Donald Trump ahead of Folarin Balogun’s red card being suspended.
Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the calf of the defender before landing on, and twisting, his ankle.
Fifa president clarifies Donald Trump conversation over rescinding Balogun ban
Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina
09:37 , Jack RathbornEgypt were left upset after Mostafa Ziko’s goal was disallowed and claimed a penalty in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal in the come-from-behind 3-2 win for the defending champions
Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina
Gianni Infantino facing calls to resign
09:35 , Mike JonesFifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.
The US president was mocked by Belgium’s players after Rudi Garcia’s side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cup’s integrity.
In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.
World Cup quarter-finals
09:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThursday 9 July
France vs Morocco (Quarter-final) – 9pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
Friday 10 July
Spain vs Belgium (Quarter-final) – 8pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Saturday 11 July
Norway vs England (Quarter-final) – 10pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
Sunday 12 July
Argentina vs Switzerland (Quarter-final) – 2am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
World Cup 2026: Quarter-final fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
Quarter-final line-up confirmed
09:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleSwitzerland, meanwhile, completed the quarter-final line-up as they overcame Colombia in a tense penalty shootout.
Switzerland edge Colombia in shoot-out to book World Cup quarter-final with Argentina
Argentina’s act of escapology highlights the problem with Enzo Fernandez
09:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIs it better to be lucky than good? Argentina just about came through when it seemed they were heading for the exit, but Richard Jolly is concerned about the defending champions – and one player in particular.
Argentina’s act of escapology highlights the problem with Enzo Fernandez
Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything
08:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was some comeback from Argentina, controversial though it may have proved. Miguel Delaney was in Atlanta.
Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything
Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina
08:40 , Will CastleHere’s the full story on Egypt’s accusations of a World Cup ‘injustice’:
Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina
Egypt's Mostafa Zico says 'tournament has been fixed'
08:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleEgypt winger Mostafa Zico, whose goal was denied by VAR in the 3-2 defeat to Argentina, said this after his side's defeat:
"The referee was really not fair. Not fair. Referee not fair. The injustice was clear.
"We did a really good job in the early stages of the match. There's been an unfairness right from the start of the match.
"A 2-0 lead isn't enough to beat Argentina.
"It is clear that this tournament has been fixed. But God is sufficient for us."
World Cup 2026 LIVE
08:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good morning, The World Cup quarter-final line-up is confirmed – but there is fury in Egypt after a controversial exit to Argentina came with allegations of “fixing” against Fifa.
