United States President Donald Trump has criticized England’s tactics following their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, specifically questioning Harry Kane’s role in the second half as a “defensive” player.

Manager Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions in the second half have drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike after England suffered a 2-1 defeat, allowing Argentina to score two late goals and secure a spot in the final against Spain on Sunday at 20:00 BST.

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According to BBC Sport, several key players expressed disappointment at how England were directed to play defensively after taking an early lead through Anthony Gordon.

In the closing stages, Tuchel reverted to a back five and made several defensive substitutions as Lionel Messi led a dramatic comeback from Argentina.

“You have a great player in England who I’ve played golf with. And he is Harry [Kane] who has been fantastic,” Trump stated.

“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player. What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence.

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“We got to be a little offensive, right. But no, I’m not going to call it, what do I know about coaching? But that was a little unusual.”

Tuchel responded to Trump’s remarks dismissively during a subsequent news conference.

At a reception held at Trump Tower on Friday, the president also discussed his efforts to persuade FIFA to review USA striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension.

Balogun, 25, faced exclusion from his team’s last-16 tie against Belgium after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in an earlier match.

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FIFA unexpectedly decided to suspend the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, prompting significant backlash.

Trump remarked, “This has been a tournament like no other. Filled with fierce competition, unforgettable moments. Probably the most unforgettable is when they gave that gentleman… is it a red card?

“And I was forced to call Gianni [Infantino]. I said ‘Gianni, I’d like to make a recommendation. Let the guy in the game!’ No, I didn’t say that. I said I’d like to wage a complaint.

“And actually I had no idea what was going to happen, but you know it is so much better the way it worked out because there is no controversy. [Belgium] won the game and our team had all of its players. You made another great decision if you think about it, but you’ll never get credit for it.”

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Trump also expressed gratitude towards FIFA President Infantino, describing the World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada as “the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world.”

Infantino acknowledged the World Cup had “exceeded expectations.”

“The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world in America,” he stated.

“This is not just the greatest World Cup of all times, it is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed and we are all part of it and for this I thank you very much, Mr. President.”

Balogun Comments Will Spark Controversy – Analysis

President Trump’s praise for Infantino regarding FIFA’s decision on Balogun’s ban is likely to reignite one of the World Cup’s significant controversies.

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Infantino has previously denied that Trump’s lobbying was the reason for lifting the suspension, asserting that FIFA’s disciplinary committee operates independently.

However, Trump’s statements might amplify concerns regarding political interference in FIFA’s authority, potentially deepening the trust crisis stemming from the incident.

The sight of Trump and Infantino congratulating each other at Trump Tower without taking media questions also underscores their close relationship, a dynamic criticized for potentially undermining FIFA’s political neutrality.

Despite this, both men can cite record ticket sales and substantial TV viewership numbers in the US.

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The expanded tournament has delivered considerable excitement, with many attendees praising the stadiums and security arrangements. Nonetheless, inflated costs have raised questions about FIFA’s financial motivations during this World Cup.

The recent introduction of hydration breaks and discussions around an expanded half-time break at the final, coupled with potential further expansion to 64 teams, have alarmed traditionalists concerned about commercial pressures on the event.

In addition, previous visa issues at the tournament’s start have marred claims that it would be the most inclusive World Cup in history.

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With fans, teams, and officials affected by US immigration policy, Infantino faced accusations of losing control over the tournament and faced backlash for advising critics to “chill and relax.”

While numerous questions remain about the Balogun situation, standing alongside Trump, Infantino appeared confident in his stance.

Why? FIFA is expected to achieve record revenues of $9 billion this year, reliance on which many nations have to foster their football development.

As a result, Infantino enjoys considerable support globally and is anticipated to secure re-election next year.

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