Ep 624 - Big Boy (feat. Nate Marshall)

Where this was said

Trump, FIFA, and the World Cup Red Card Scandal

At 1:11:30 · chapter starts 1:10:40

The conversation drifts to the World Cup being hosted in America, which has been a surprisingly positive PR moment for the country. The team USA upset: a player got a red card in one match, meaning they'd be suspended for the Belgium game — but Trump allegedly called in a favor with a FIFA official he knows, and the suspension was reversed. Matt emphasizes this apparently had never been done before. ^{[1] — Matt McCusker "FIFA red card reversal unprecedented: Trump allegedly used connections to FIFA leadership to reverse a US player's red card suspension — so…" 1:10:38 Play} The international community was livid. England, who got a red card against Mexico, then filed their own appeal under the new precedent. America technically lost to Belgium anyway with the player reinstated. Matt's framing is cheerfully nihilistic: soccer is basically a minor league sport in America, losing feels like whatever, the businesses made money, and the country looked great to visiting foreigners. A few foreigners were filmed trying American barbecue and ranch dressing for the first time, which the guys find deeply satisfying. Matt's closing pitch: stop complaining about America and recognize that it kind of rules.