Well, I guess I'll go beg for some downvotes

Ronaldo (Portugal) is the precedent. In the penultimate qualifying match, he was sent off with a red card and suspended for three international matches. This would have meant he would have been suspended for the first two World Cup matches. Of course, that’s not an option, because world-class stars bring in the cash.

In Argentina’s first match, Messi should have been sent off. Of course, that’s not an option—see above.

The German coach of the English national team, Thomas Tuchel, said it wasn't a red card for the American player. The likely new German national team coach, Jürgen Klopp, said it was a very clear red card.

And FIFA always makes sure that the host nations stay in the tournament as long as possible. History has shown some very strange incidents in this regard. The fact that DJT intervened with Infantino has drawn massive criticism here in Germany—even from media outlets sympathetic to DJT (yes, they do exist). You just don’t do something like that! Especially not when you’re the kind of person who can successfully pull the strings in sports, too. At the press conference, the president portrayed himself as a bit of a fool, which is downright ridiculous. DJT, a fool?

The FIFA sycophants, of course, don’t contradict him, and there’s obviously no one in his inner circle who has even begun to grasp the significance of football—not “soccer,” as it’s only called in the U.S.—for countries around the world. Especially in Latin America and Brazil, soccer is a religion.

While the president may have scored some points at home, abroad he has needlessly revived the image of the “ugly” American. But, karma’s a bitch.