Thomas Tuchel has controversial question for Donald Trump after England win over Mexico

While it's been a very entertaining World Cup on the pitch, it seems as if even the players and managers are a little confused about what's happening off it.

There was perhaps always likely to be controversy given our American hosts were literally at war with a fellow team at the World Cup not long ago, and there's no doubt that Iran were placed at a significant sporting disadvantage.

We've also seen players, staff and even referees denied entry into the US for the tournament due to the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump.

But it seems as if the president's influence doesn't end there as like every other American, he will have been dreading the thought of facing Belgium in today's round of 16 fixture without star striker Folarin Balogun, who has three goals in the tournament already.

After a few calls to the bosses and Gianni Infantino, FIFA made the unprecedented decision to suspend the striker's ban, meaning he is now eligible to play against Belgium.

Now, this will obviously also call every other red card given at the tournament into disrepute and after Jarrell Quansah was sent off in similar circumstances during England's iconic victory over Mexico last night, it's easy to see why Thomas Tuchel might be tempted to try and call in a favour.

In his post-match conference, the German manager was asked if Harry Kane might be open to giving Trump a call about his teammate, as England continue to struggle for right-backs at this tournament.

He said: "Where do you draw the line? I have no answer to that. Where does this end now? Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? Do we think it's not a red card, or who thinks it?

"Where does it start and where does this end?"

When asked about his captain putting a call into the White House, the former Chelsea boss joked, 'maybe that's a good starting point'.

It's easy to see why Tuchel is concerned about the can of worms that FIFA's decision has now opened but the earliest England can play the US is the final since they are on the other side of the draw.

He was also less than happy with some of the refereeing decisions in last night's dramatic victory, suggesting that it was wrong to have South American officials.

The England boss said: "Did I see that right that three of the VAR officials are from South America?

"In a match like this? I think so, that’s what I saw. If this is correct…

"VAR overturns the decision for the [Mexico] penalty. Is it a clear and obvious error? For sure not. But VAR get involved.

"Earlier he doesn’t even give a foul and they overturn it and give us a red card. The referees are not good enough."

Although Tuchel might disagree, there's no doubting that Quansah's tackle was a bad one, so England will probably have to make do without him when they face Norway on Saturday night in the quarter-final.

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.