NATO leaders made it a point not to bring up the World Cup with US President Donald Trump when they met for a summit in Ankara, apprehensive about causing him unnecessary embarrassment after his nation’s disastrous World Cup showing against Belgium.
The decision was prompted by the dramatic 4-1 thumping of the United States by Belgium in the round of 16. Belgium’s PM Bart De Wever admitted that he would avoid any football talk with Mr Trump “as everyone knows how strongly he reacts to negative football results”.
Instead, NATO discussions centre on defence pacts and defence budget increases.
This World Cup issue was brought up earlier when President Trump requested the president of world football’s governing body, Gianni Infantino, to overlook United States forward Folarin Balogun’s red card for him to play in Wednesday’s match.
Despite the effort to sidestep the World Cup conversation, De Wever did take a swipe with a football reference when discussing Ukraine’s plight. De Wever said it was a “strong red card to Russia” and pointed to the large sums of money that have already been pledged for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a good chat about the footballing world with Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Støre, a friendly exchange of football pleasantries just before England’s last 16 clash with their European opponents at the World Cup.
