$245m Donald Trump intervention mooted in another sport after World Cup controversy

Whether or not it had an impact on the outcome, Donald Trump’s appeal to Gianni Infantino to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card has been perhaps the defining off-pitch story of the World Cup.

For what it’s worth, FIFA insist that, although Trump and Infantino did speak about the United States’ striker’s suspension, it would be impossible for politics to interfere with the Disciplinary Committee’s processes – and the decision was made unilaterally by committee chairman Mohammed Al Kamlali.

But the optics are important at an event of this magnitude.

And given that the 2026 World Cup has already attracted intense scrutiny for compromising the integrity of the game (through hydration breaks, exorbitant ticket prices and so on), even a whiff of interference from the president of the host nation was always going to be met with short shrift by soccer fans.

As for Trump, he is yet to make an appearance at the World Cup. In the flesh, at least.

FIFA say that POTUS will show his face at the World Cup final in New Jersey, where Spain – victors over much fancied France in today’s first semi-final – await either England or Argentina.

And with the end of the World Cup in sight, Trump appears to be turning his attention to another sport – and one much more familiar to most fans in the US.

Could Trump intervene in MLB deadlock after World Cup drama?

Ahead of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has addressed the potential intervention of Trump in his organisation’s deadlock over the would-be introduction of a salary cap.

Under MLB’s plans, payroll per team would be hard-capped at $245.3m.

Given that, based on current wage bills, 10 teams would exceed that threshold and dozens of players would have to recalibrate their contracts, the proposals have been met with defiance from players and agents, who are threatening a lock-out for the 2027 season.

Could Trump, a baseball fan who has described MLB’s lack of a salary cap as “shocking”, intervene? According to Manfred, the president is “interested.”

“Look, I think it would be wildly, wildly inappropriate for me to speculate what the president of the United States might do or not do in a hypothetical situation,” Manfred said in a conference. “We know this. He’s a great sports fan, and he is really knowledgeable about the business of sports, so [Trump’s interest] doesn’t surprise me. Behind that, I’m going to pass.”

After the World Cup, UFC Freedom 250, the LIV-PGA Golf schism and umpteen other examples, it appears Trump is not done getting involved with the biggest issues in sports.

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