Key facts
- Two US soccer staff members, Sam Zapatka and Frank Pannell, were suspended by FIFA.
- The US team was eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Belgium 4-1.
- A red card for US striker Folarin Balogun was controversially overturned by FIFA before the match.
- Social media users have discussed a 'Trump curse' following the US team's elimination.
- Past sports events where Donald Trump was present or endorsed a team have been cited as evidence of this alleged curse.
Two staff members of the U.S. soccer team, Sam Zapatka and Frank Pannell, were suspended by FIFA ahead of their World Cup match against Belgium. The US team was subsequently eliminated from the tournament after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. This loss, coupled with a controversial red card reversal for US striker Folarin Balogun, has fueled online discussions about a 'Trump curse.'
Social media users have attributed the US team's elimination to Donald Trump, citing his alleged involvement in the red card decision and past instances where teams he endorsed or attended reportedly lost. Critics have accused Trump and FIFA of corruption, with calls for an investigation into potential undue pressure on the decision-making process. The narrative suggests Trump's alleged interference negatively impacted the US team and emboldened their opponents.
This theory has been bolstered by references to previous sports events, including NBA and NFL games and the Ryder Cup, where teams associated with Trump have experienced defeats. Some social media users have suggested that betting against teams backed by Trump could be a winning strategy.