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Josh Ball

Every time you think Fifa president Gianni Infantino can’t sink any lower, he goes right ahead and proves you wrong.
The focus today should have been on Norway’s stunning 2-1 win over Brazil, Erling Haaland’s bid to be the best striker the World Cup has ever seen and England’s clash with Mexico.
Instead, the mind-blowing decision to effectively rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card will dominate everything until Belgium and the USA clash in little more than 24 hours’ time.
It’s been something of a busy few hours in the United States, so here’s a rundown on what happened while you were sleeping.

The best ever?
Erling Haaland has played four World Cup matches in his career, he’s scored seven goals. Lionel Messi needed four tournaments between 2006 and 2018, just to get to six.
The Norwegian’s double against Brazil took him level with the Argentinian and France’s Kylian Mbappe for the most scored at this year’s tournament, and who would bet against him adding more in a quarter-final against either Mexico or England.
No one is suggesting Haaland is a better player than Messi, nor has he Mbappe’s CV, but the “striking Viking” could yet be the greatest threat the game has ever seen.
That Haaland was in a position to put his side ahead in the 79th minute at MetLife Stadium, and to seal a stunning win 11 minutes later, was almost entirely down to goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who pulled off a string of remarkable saves.
Stopping Bruno Guimaraes woeful 14th minute penalty was not one, given the way the Newcastle United man telegraphed his shot. But the flying leap in the second half to prevent an own goal was out-of-this-world class, as was the stop to deny Endrick moments earlier.
Neymar’s penalty with almost the last kick of the game was a fitting end to his career and his team’s World Cup. Brazil have played Norway five times in total; they have never beaten them.
“This is just an insane day,” Haaland said. “It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history.”

Do as we say
Governments interfering in football has long been considered a no-no. Fifa tends to ban associations whose politicians get involved in the sport, except it seems when they’re close personal friends of the president.
Apparently Donald Trump asked his old mate Gianni to do him a solid in making a pesky little red card go away, and hey presto, Folarin Balogun can play for the co-hosts in their last 16 clash with Belgium.
Balogun, widely considered the USA’s best player, had been expected to miss the game after being sent off for a clumsy challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in his side’s last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
But with a flick of a limp Swiss wrist, the one-match ban that traditionally greets all such infractions disappeared and was rewarded moments later with a pat on the head.
“Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump posted on his Truth Social account, in a rare example of the US president advocating for the rights of a birthright citizen.
Two things can be true at once. Balogun was probably unfortunate to have been sent off, and Fifa’s actions stink. The history of the game is littered with referees making bad decisions that the governing body has refused to even discuss.
Fifa pointed to article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code to justify its actions, except that doesn’t deal with red cards, and is specifically overruled by 9.1 which says decisions are final and may not be reviewed by the Fifa judicial bodies.
You know you’re in trouble when one of your own officials, paid by television companies to explain decisions made during the World Cup, openly asks what’s going on.
In a lengthy post on X, Christina Unkle attempted to explain why article 27 applied, but then suggested Fifa’s lack of transparency around the issue created all sorts of other problems.
Meanwhile, Belgium football officials said they were “astonished” by the decision and have threatened to sue “in order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this World Cup and at future editions of the tournament. The Belgian FA is investigating all potential options”.

Shelter in place
All that talk about Fifa moving the kick-off time for England’s game against Mexico, yeah, there was a reason.
A shelter-in-place order has been issued at the Azteca Stadium because of severe weather, with heavy rain in the city during the day and reports of lightning above the stadium.
The current advice for supporters and media inside the ground is to remain in their seats.
The match is still currently set to start at the scheduled time, which is 8am in Hong Kong, but any lightning strikes in the vicinity of the stadium close to kick-off would mean the start of the match being delayed.
When the game does get under way, Jarell Quansah is expected to be at right back in a team showing several changes, with wingers Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon also expected to come into the side in place of Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford.


World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland double as Norway stun Brazil, Fifa shocks everyone

Balogun’s ban suspended by Fifa, allowing US forward to play against Belgium

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Fifa World Cup 2026

Brazil’s Neymar sinks to his knees after his side was knocked out of the World Cup by Norway. Photo: AP

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland saves an effort from Brazil’s Endrick during the game at MetLife Stadium. Photo: AP

Folarin Balogun has had his suspension suspended by Fifa. Photo: TNS

Fans from Mexico and England gather outside Azteca Stadium. Photo: EPA

Norway’s Erling Haaland (cente) celebrates with teammates Patrick Berg (left) and Oscar Bobb after their stunning win. Photo: Reuters

England needed a late double from Harry Kane (left) to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32. Photo: AP

England return to Azteca Stadium 40 years after their iconic “Hand of God” game against Argentina. Photo: Handout

Erling Haaland has scored five goals in three appearances at the tournament so far. Photo: Reuters

Fifa World Cup: Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz rues African limitations after Colombia loss

Abdul Fatawu covers his face in despair after Ghana become the latest African team to exit the World Cup. Photo: Reuters

 Carlos Queiroz barks orders during his Ghana team’s World Cup defeat by Colombia. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Norway’s Erling Haaland scores twice in shock result that sends South Americans home. Fifa buckle to US political pressure, rescind Balogun red


Norway’s Erling Haaland scores twice in shock result that sends South Americans home. Fifa buckle to US political pressure, rescind Balogun red.


Erling Haaland

Donald Trump

Fifa

World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland double as Norway stun Brazil, Fifa shocks everyone

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Norway’s Erling Haaland scores twice in shock result that sends South Americans home. Fifa buckle to US political pressure, rescind Balogun red

The best ever?

Norway’s Erling Haaland scores twice in shock result that sends South Americans home. Fifa buckle to US political pressure, rescind Balogun red