FIFA, Trump and Balogun: The scandal that shook the World Cup
About this episode
<p>On Sunday, The Athletic broke the world exclusive that USA striker Folarin Balogun's ban for the USMNT's round of 16 tie against Belgium had been suspended.</p><br><p>Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon, who broke the news, join Ian Irving and Cerys Jones to look back on the controversy, which included the involvement of US President Donald Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the USA's game with Belgium.</p><br><p>Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard shares his perspective from a players' perspective as to the impact the whole episode will have had on the USA's preparations for the game, while Jerry Brewer, senior columnist for The Athletic gives his view on the damage the controversy will have on soccer in the USA as well as US Soccer.</p><br><p>Host: Ian Irving</p><p>With: Cerys Jones, Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon</p><p>Featuring: Tim Howard and Jerry Brewer</p><p>Executive Producer: Guy Clarke</p><p>Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. FIFA, Trump and Balogun: The scandal that shook the World Cup from The Athletic FC Podcast gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- How can MLS become an elite league? Jul 21, 2026
- Spain conquer the world + Ornstein's summer transfers Jul 20, 2026
- World Cup final preview + Ornstein on Rogers to Chelsea Jul 19, 2026
- Has Infantino's expanded World Cup worked? Jul 17, 2026
- What now for Tuchel and England? Jul 16, 2026
- Spain stun France + can England overcome Argentina? Jul 15, 2026
- Ornstein transfer latest: Bouaddi, Alvarez & Bruno Guimaraes Jul 14, 2026
- World Cup semi-final preview and transfers, with David Ornstein Jul 13, 2026
- Can Bellingham win England the World Cup? Jul 12, 2026
- How do England stop Erling Haaland? Jul 10, 2026
- Argentina are inevitable + Ornstein on Man United transfers Jul 8, 2026
- Was the USA's World Cup a success or failure? Jul 7, 2026
- England’s Azteca heroics + inside Trump’s Balogun call Jul 6, 2026
- How can England conquer the Azteca? Jul 4, 2026
- Portugal survive + why are Newcastle selling their best players? Jul 3, 2026
- Can Kane keep saving England? Jul 2, 2026
- France look unstoppable + Spurs win Fernandes race Jul 1, 2026
- Germany hit new low + Ornstein transfer latest Jun 30, 2026
- Which dark horse will go furthest at the World Cup? Jun 29, 2026
- Why are England struggling to convince? Jun 28, 2026
- How did Man City win the Elliot Anderson race? Jun 26, 2026
- Are Ancelotti's Brazil serious World Cup contenders? Jun 25, 2026
- Why were England so flat against Ghana? Jun 24, 2026
- Ornstein transfer latest: Tonali, Bergvall, Balogun Jun 23, 2026
- Who is winning the World Cup so far? Jun 22, 2026
- How far can Pochettino take the USA? Jun 20, 2026
- Ornstein transfer latest: Liverpool + Spurs make big moves Jun 19, 2026
- Are England fun again? Will Ronaldo ever be dropped? Jun 18, 2026
- Messi outshines Mbappe and Haaland + why Amorim for Milan? Jun 17, 2026
- Spain stunned + inside England's preparations Jun 16, 2026