This World Cup has been marked by controversy, from questioned refereeing decisions to U.S. intervention to prevent the expulsion of one of its players.

FIFA's mistakes in this World Cup are "innumerable" and are not limited to the political sphere, sports journalist Ibrahim Shibli told Sputnik.

"Political interference has its history, and FIFA has its rules and people in charge of enforcing them. It is shameful that it is subjected to such interference, so it must not be allowed to go unnoticed; otherwise, it will be the end of the football world," the analyst asserted.

He also pointed to the responsibility of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whom, according to media reports, Trump personally asked to overturn the expulsion of U.S. player Folarin Balogun during the tournament.

"Infantino yielded to U.S. pressure to keep his position, so he is unlikely to resign, as there is currently no one who can replace him," he indicated.

The red card occurred in the round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0), after Balogun planted his studs into the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Another scandal arose when the Egyptian Football Federation expressed dissatisfaction with French referee François Letexier's officiating in the round of 16 match against Argentina (2-3), as well as with some VAR decisions.

"There is discrimination between national teams, and the overall bias — not just refereeing — in favor of Argentina was very clear, in order to keep Messi in the World Cup as a marketing asset," the expert emphasized.

Shibli concluded that FIFA reflects problems affecting other areas and warned that politics and injustice have entered football, which in his view represents a "serious danger" for the sport.