Norway’s soccer federation is considering filing an ethics complaint with FIFA following a controversial decision at the recent World Cup involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had been issued a red card for a tackle during the group stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which typically triggers an automatic one-game suspension. However, after intervention that included a call from former U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the suspension was deferred, allowing Balogun to participate in the quarterfinal match against Belgium.
The Norwegian federation’s president, Lise Klaveness, expressed concern over the decision, describing the ruling as an unprecedented error. She criticized the influence of external pressure on what should have been a standard disciplinary process in World Cup history. The Norwegian board is expected to deliberate a formal ethics complaint at its next meeting, tentatively scheduled for August 6. Belgium ultimately defeated the United States 4-1 in the quarterfinals amid the controversy, which many observers described as one of the most contentious moments of the tournament.
In other international soccer developments, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is actively searching for a new national team coach after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. The federation has approached high-profile candidates including former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Brazil’s current coach Carlo Ancelotti. The appointment is expected to be finalized within the week. FIGC recently appointed Paolo Maldini as its new technical director, who, alongside president Giovanni Malagò and advisor Leonardo, participated in meetings with key Serie A club representatives as part of the coaching transition process.
Meanwhile, France is preparing to announce its next head coach, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation president, Philippe Diallo, will make the announcement at a press conference in Paris. Zidane, who has been out of club coaching since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is credited with leading the Spanish club to three consecutive Champions League titles. Deschamps stepped down after a 14-year tenure following France’s semifinal loss to Spain in the recent tournament.
Germany is also set to appoint a new national coach, with a press event scheduled for Friday where Jürgen Klopp is expected to be confirmed as the successor to Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann resigned after Germany’s unexpected early exit from the World Cup, losing to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 32. The German Football Federation made no additional comments ahead of the announcement.
Elsewhere in international soccer, the Japan Football Association announced that Hajime Moriyasu will remain head coach through the 2024 Asian Cup before stepping down. Go Oiwa, who has managed Japan’s Under-23 team, will then take over the senior squad. Colombia’s football association confirmed that Néstor Lorenzo will continue as national coach following a solid World Cup performance where the team conceded just one goal over five matches.