Sports
Fox News Digital Sports NFL power rankings after Week 3 of 2024 NFL season
Three weeks of the 2024 NFL season have gone by in a flash, and, for the first time this season, there are two teams at the top of the power rankings.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills both deserve the top spot after their wins in Week 3.
The Chiefs eked out another victory, showing that even if they are banged up and don’t play a clean game, they can still get the job done. Their win came against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Bills were led by Josh Allen’s four touchdown passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He moved the ball with ease, and Buffalo effectively had the game won by halftime.
The rest of the Week 3 power rankings look a bit different from Week 2.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Patrick Mahomes warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They haven’t been lighting it up, but the 3-0, back-to-back Super Bowl champions get the benefit of the doubt, even if teams like Buffalo and Minnesota have been impressive. We keep the Chiefs at No. 1 again.
Last week: 1
1. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Josh Allen and his band of relative unknowns are playing as a team and making few mistakes.
Last week: 2
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of a game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
It’s officially time to say the Vikings are contenders this season after yet another dominating win over a Houston Texans team that was just as shocked as the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers were in weeks 1 and 2 respectively. As Brian Flores continues to whip up blitzes that send quarterbacks into a frenzy, Sam Darnold is delivering dimes all over the field. When he received the game ball Sunday from Kevin O’Connell, the entire locker room was clapping and cheering for him, showing how he’s won everyone over. Minnesota is the NFL’s biggest surprise of the 2024 season
Last week: 9
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Austin III during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Steelers are 3-0, but it’s still hard to fully buy in. Mike Tomlin is clearly one of the best coaches in the NFL when it comes to getting the most out of his roster, and he’s done it again this year. Still, the schedule has been relatively easy and doesn’t get much tougher until November.
Last week: 12
5. Detroit Lions (2-1)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs the ball as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) defends during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson got away from the team’s power-run identity in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they went back to the well in a big win over the Arizona Cardinals on the road Sunday. The hook-and-lateral was even done to perfection, and the offense looked to be back to its normal self. The Lions remain a top contender in this division, and it’ll be interesting to see them go against the Vikings in their first meeting next month.
Last week: 8
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) greets running back Kenneth Walker III after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Soft schedule or not, the fact is Seattle is two games clear of the rest of the NFC West and building confidence by the week. Coach Mike Macdonald’s crew has been doing it with defense. The defense is among the NFL’s best in passing yards allowed (1st) and total yards allowed (2nd).
Last week: 10
7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion against the New Orleans Saints in the second half in New Orleans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Philadelphia survived a parade of failed risks by Nick Sirianni in New Orleans to stay on the higher end of the NFL hierarchy this week. It’s a win the Eagles can credit to Saquon Barkley. The Eagles might be 0-3 if not for signing Barkley. He’s on pace to have the best season of his career. Nick Sirianni is off the hook for his coaching, but only time will tell if he has a better approach next time.
Last week: 11
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
The Green Bay Packers’ Malik Willis scrambles during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Malik Willis has done it again, this time against the team he entered training camp with this preseason. The Tennessee Titans watched as the Packers’ offense flowed well with Willis leading the way for Matt LaFleur’s bunch. With Love returning sooner than later under center, the Packers could be a scary opponent as this division looks to be a powerhouse (except for a team we’ll hit later on)
Last week: 17
9. Houston Texans (2-1)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud walks off the field after a game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-7. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Joe Mixon’s absence Sunday was noticeable as the Houston Texans suffered a 34-7 beatdown by the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the struggling offense, which managed just 38 rushing yards, the biggest issue for Houston was sloppy play. In back-to-back weeks, the Texans committed more than 10 penalties, including four straight while trailing 14-0 before halftime.
Last week: 3
10. New York Jets (2-1)
Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets smiles after defeating the New England Patriots in a game at MetLife Stadium Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
If the offensive line stays healthy — a big if given its health history — this is going to be a team that gets better. Why? Because youngsters are growing up, and the 40-year-old quarterback is heating up.
Last week: 15
11. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr leaves the field after a game in New Orleans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Believe it or not, the Saints were not going to score on every offensive possession this season. The Eagles were the first team to slow down Derek Carr and the Saints’ offense Sunday, holding them to just one touchdown and two field goals. The Saints’ defense and special teams did their best, forcing three Philadelphia turnovers, but couldn’t contain Saquon Barkley long enough to secure a victory.
Last week: 4
12. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
No need to panic in San Francisco. This is still a very good football team, even at 1-2 after blowing a winnable game against the Rams. The focus for Kyle Shanahan’s group will be on getting right against the Patriots Sunday and getting healthier to endure the long season.
Last week: 6
13. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs for a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (7) defends in the second half of a game in Arlington, Texas Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Baltimore was cruising against Dallas but somehow managed to let the Cowboys back into the game and nearly blew it. That’s not a great sign for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations coming into the season. The Ravens are lacking a killer instinct so far this year, and they need to find it fast.
Last week: 14
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, center, is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen on a fourth down play during the second half of a game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Hard to label the Buccaneers loss to the Broncos as anything other than disappointing after such a strong win in Detroit. Coming into the week, it felt like the Buccaneers had a good chance at starting 3-0, but Baker Mayfield and the offense struggled to get anything going against the Broncos’ defense. On the other side of the ball, Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offense were able to move the ball without much resistance from the Buccaneer defense.
Last week: 5
15. Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, bottom left, during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated his high ankle sprain in the second half of Los Angeles’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert’s early exit effectively ended the Bolts’ hopes of mounting a comeback, and the team’s offense still appears to have some major flaws.
Last week: 7
16. Washington Commanders (2-1)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels greets fans as he walks off the field after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Commanders won 38-33. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
So far, Jayden Daniels has stood out as the top player of the 2024 rookie quarterback class. A game-winning drive followed by a quality start has every positive indicator a team could want with a rookie quarterback. The rest of the roster has outperformed expectations, even if it isn’t stacked with Pro Bowlers. Washington is ahead of schedule in the Dan Quinn era, at least three games in.
Last week: 27
17. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks off the field after the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The Cowboys haven’t started 1-2 since 2020. It’s a bad look for a team that gave out two of the biggest contracts in NFL history this offseason to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but the talent is still there. The Cowboys have a surprisingly disastrous season every couple of years. Their 2020, 2015 and 2010 seasons were all derailed by injuries and a bad start, and the teams never recovered. Mike McCarthy has already led one of those failures. The good news for the Cowboys is there haven’t been any injuries to key players, and they have a weaker opponent this week.
Last week: 13
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray reacts against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona has obliterated a mediocre team (Rams) and lost close contests to two good ones (Bills, Lions). The Cardinals will tell us who they really are when they host the surging Commanders Sunday afternoon.
Last week: 18
19. Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford walks off the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
There are signs of life in Los Angeles after that thrilling comeback win over the 49ers. Injuries have hurt the Rams, but they showed off impressive depth on offense Sunday and hope to carry that momentum into this week and get back to .500 against the Bears in Chicago.
Last week: 25
20. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) hits Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
For a moment, it looked like the Falcons were about to pull off another fourth-quarter comeback. Kirk Cousins led the Falcons to the red zone to give the Falcons a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter, but Bijan Robinson got stuffed on fourth down to drop the Falcons to 1-2. On the bright side, the Falcons’ defense held its own against Patrick Mahomes and the explosive Chiefs’ offense, holding it to 22 points.
Last week: 19
21. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow watches from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Washington Commanders Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
OK, it might be time to start panicking a bit about the Bengals. While they are still better than their 0-3 record would suggest, at some point they have to start winning games. Teams that start 0-3 miss the playoffs over 90% of the time, so Cincinnati needs to start winning. Like, now.
Last week: 16
22. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reacts as Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson is evaluated on the field after a play during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
If they don’t beat the Titans on “Monday Night Football,” there’s going to be a lot more heat on general manager Chris Grier to trade for a quarterback with experience.
Last week: 20
23. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Colts picked up their first win of the season with a crucial 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday, and it was all thanks to the once-ridiculed defense that paved the road to victory. Indy’s defense limited the Bears to 63 rushing yards and pressured Caleb Williams, who went 33 of 52 for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Williams committed two turnovers.
The biggest issue plaguing the Colts for now is quarterback play. For the second week in a row, Anthony Richardson completed just 50% of his passes, and he’s thrown six interceptions on the year. He’ll need to be more consistent for Indy to be a true competitor in the AFC South.
Last week: 28
24. Chicago Bears (1-2)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Tyquan Lewis (94) during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Caleb Williams is simply going through it right now, and the Bears’ offensive line is just not helping him drop back and read his progressions. The Indianapolis Colts, who are also struggling, were pressuring Williams all game long, but this is what the No. 1 overall pick will have to get used to. He did have a good day passing on the stat sheet, but Williams is still missing deep shots downfield by a wide margin and throwing interceptions. There’s a lot to work to be done in Chicago, and it’s not on the defensive side of the ball
Last week: 24
25. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns, right, forces Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) to fumble, which the Giants recovered, during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
It’s hard to watch Deshaun Watson and not think that his days as a starting NFL quarterback are over (Jameis Winston time?). Losing to the Giants at home was a terrible loss, and the Browns are lost right now. Might be time to blow it up and start over.
Last week: 22
26. New York Giants (1-2)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers catches a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
In short glimpses over their last two games, the Giants have shown off a simple, yet effective formula: a relentless defensive line and forcing the ball to their top receiver. The Giants rode a similar formula to the Super Bowl in 2011 and their last double-digit win season in 2016. The only problem with this Giants team is that for every minute it shows off that effective formula, there is at least a minute and a half where it shows utter nothingness from offense, defense and special teams.
Last week: 31
27. Denver Broncos (1-2)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scrambles as he looks for a receiver during the first half of a game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Bo Nix showcased what he can do for the Broncos’ offense with both his arm and his legs, and he represents the best chance for Broncos success this season. Denver was able to shut down a red-hot Buccaneers team and now has to hit the road to take on the Jets.
Last week: 30
28. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Gardner Minshew followed up his solid performance against the Ravens last week with a disappointing one. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton had one of the best days of his NFL career and led the Panthers to a surprising win in Week 3. While Aidan O’Connell did see some action against Carolina, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce hinted he would stick with the status quo at quarterback.
Last week: 21
29. New England Patriots (1-2)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) gets sacked by New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images)
Jerod Mayo continues to resist suggestions to play Drake Maye. That’s understandable in the first month of the season when a good season is still plausible. But that possibility evaporates in October. Maye’s time is coming.
Last week: 23
30. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton celebrates after a win against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
What a difference a week can make. After looking awful for the second straight week, head coach Dave Canales pulled the plug on Bryce Young and put in Andy Dalton. Dalton jump-started what previously looked like a lifeless offense and threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns for a dominant victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Panthers’ defense held Gardner Minshew and the offense in check until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Last week: 32
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The test of “Monday Night Football” and playing against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium proved to be too difficult a hurdle to overcome for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills routed the Jags in a 47-10 win that had head coach Doug Pederson calling the loss “shocking.” Not much is going right for the Jags on either side of the ball, but they’ll need to figure it out with back-to-back games against division opponents up next.
Last week: 26
32. Tennessee Titans (0-3)
The Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis is sacked by the Green Bay Packers’ Edgerrin Cooper during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Malik Willis showed the Titans exactly what they’re missing after they traded the third-year quarterback away to the Green Bay Packers at the end of August. The Titans are winless through Week 3 after a 30-14 loss to the Packers. And while Willis shined in Jordan Love’s absence, Will Levis continued to struggle to bring any life to the Titans’ offense.
Last week: 29
The Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com staff.
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Jon Jones requests UFC release after Dana White says legend was ‘never’ considered him for White House card
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Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones ended his retirement from UFC simply because he wanted a spot on the “Freedom 250” fight card at the White House in June.
But, when UFC CEO Dana White announced the card during UFC 326 this past weekend, Jones wasn’t among the fighters. As a result, he has requested a release from his UFC contract.
White was candid when asked about Jones following the UFC 326 card.
Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024 in New York City. ((Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images))
“Never, ever, ever, which I told you guys a hundred thousands times, was Jon Jones ever even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House,” White explained, per CBS Sports. “Some guy with Meta Glasses filmed him talking about his hips – that his hips are so bad. And I don’t know if you guys saw that flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis in his hips. Apparently, doctors say he should have a hip replacement.”
White added that “the Jon Jones thing is bulls—,” saying that he texted the fighter’s lawyer saying he would never be on the White House card despite Jones saying he was in negotiations for it.
UFC ANNOUNCES CARD FOR WHITE HOUSE EVENT
The Meta Glasses incident White is referring to came from a viral video, where Jones, unaware he was being filmed, discussed issues with his hips to a fan.
On Monday, Jones composed a thorough response to White’s comments about him and the White House Card. He previously posted and deleted social media explanations, but Monday’s appeared to be his final statement on the matter.
UFC President Dana White speaks after UFC Fight Night at Toyota Center on Feb. 21, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,” Jones, who retired a heavyweight champion in 2025, said. “So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card, and training camp was scheduled to start today. I was preparing to be ready.
“I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number.”
Jones finished his statement by saying he “respectfully” asks to be released from his UFC contract.
Jon Jones enters the ring before facing Stipe Miocic in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up,” he wrote.
The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a 28-1-1 record, which includes his last bout with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title belt. He is also a two-time light heavyweight champion.
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With U.S. at war with Iran, political upheaval could engulf World Cup
Twelve days ago the U.S., a World Cup host country, launched a full-scale bombing campaign against Iran, a country that has qualified to play in the tournament. That’s never happened before.
Five days later, that same World Cup host began military operations inside the borders of Ecuador, another World Cup qualifier, half a world away. That’s never happened before either.
With the tournament scheduled to kick off in three months, those events have soccer scholar Jonathan Wilson questioning whether it’s wise for the World Cup to go on at all.
“It seems to me, for each passing day, it’s less and less likely that the World Cup can happen,” he said.
That take seems unduly alarmist said David Goldblatt, a British sportswriter and sociologist who is a visiting professor at Pitzer College in Claremont. Anything short of a full-scale war inside the U.S. would not be enough to pull the plug on the tournament now, he said. Especially with FIFA expecting revenues of as much as $11 billion.
“I mean, it’s not a good look,” Goldblatt conceded. “And certainly when set against FIFA’s official pronouncements on its role in encouraging world peace and cosmopolitan celebrations of a universal humanity, none of that sits terribly easily.
“But in terms of actually running the World Cup, I don’t think it’s going to make very much difference at all.”
However, with the Trump administration open to engaging in more international conflicts, there’s little doubt this World Cup, the largest and most complex in history, will also be the most political in history as well.
Complicating things further is the fact the current conflict in the Middle East hasn’t been limited to just the U.S. and Iran. Iranian missiles have hit both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among other countries, and Jordan has fired on U.S. assets.
Those three countries are World Cup qualifiers as well.
The fate of a soccer tournament pales in importance to the death and destruction the conflagration in the Middle East has produced, of course. But the need for unity is the very reason there’s a World Cup in the first place.
When French soccer administrator Jules Rimet founded the tournament 96 years ago, he believed soccer could be a tool for international peace. And in the early years of the tournament, Rimet, FIFA’s longest-serving president and a talented diplomat, was able to limit the impact of geopolitics on the World Cup, watering down Mussolini’s influence on the 1934 World Cup, for example, and steering the 1938 tournament away from Hitler’s Germany.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has taken a far different approach, courting President Donald Trump’s support despite his growing number of global conflicts.
A week before bombs began falling on Iran, Infantino appeared at the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace wearing a red cap with ‘USA’ on the front and the numbers ‘45-47’ — a reference to Trump’s non-consecutive presidencies. That act was so blatantly partisan, IOC president Kirsty Coventry said her organization would investigate whether Infantino, an IOC member, breached the terms of the group’s charter, which requires members to act independent of political interests.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino holds up a USA hat as he attends the inaugural meeting for the Board of Peace at the Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19.
(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
“Infantino has absolutely breached every FIFA protocol on neutrality,” said Wilson, author of “The Power and Glory: The History of the World Cup.”
“Absolute neutrality is always impossible and not desirable, but it has clearly gone way, way, way beyond. The peace prize looked grotesque at the time. It looks even worse now. And I can’t see how the future will look kindly on Infantino. I think Infantino has to some extent legitimized Trump.”
This is hardly new behavior from Infantino, who had close relationships with Vladimir Putin ahead of the 2018 tournament played in Russia and Qatar’s leaders ahead of the 2022 tournament despite their well-known human rights violations.
The list of countries Infantino is asking to overlook poor relations with the country hosting the majority of World Cup games this summer is growing.
Consider that Denmark, which administers Greenland, an autonomous territory Trump has also threatened to invade, can qualify for the tournament in a European playoff that will take place later this month. Then there’s World Cup qualifiers Haiti, Ivory Coast and Senegal, who aren’t at war with the U.S. but whose citizens have been banned from entering the country to cheer for their teams. That completely contradicts a promise from Infantino, who said “everybody will be welcome” at the 2026 World Cup.
“If I had a crystal ball I could tell you now what is going to happen,” Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup chief operating officer for FIFA, said Monday. “But obviously the situation is developing. It’s changing day by day and we are monitoring closely. [But] the World Cup will go on right? The World Cup is too big and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified.”
Goldblatt, the Pitzer professor, said Infantino’s action are understandable since he has few cards to play against Trump.
President Trump speaks as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize as FIFA president Gianni Infantino applauds on Dec. 5 the Kennedy Center in Washington.
(Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
“What’s Infantino going to do? What levers can you pull?” he asked. “You can threaten to take it away. That’s not happening. Moral admonishment? Who’s going to take that from FIFA? It is a farcical idea that anybody thinks that the president of FIFA has any kind of collective moral authority or any role as a spokesperson for the progressive part of the world.
“They may fantasize that this is the case. But it is morally and politically absurd that any of us should expect that of these people. So if you are Infantino and that is the case, you know what works with Trump? What works is flattery. So of course he’s gone down that path.”
The games, Goldblatt said, will go on even if bombs are still falling. And that may not be an entirely bad thing.
“Football’s a great distraction. That’s partly why it’s so popular,” he said. “It will be virtually impossible, if the war continues, for that not to be a central element of like, the meaning and the purpose of what we’re all doing here.
“How we’ll feel and what it will look like, I don’t know. It will be very strange. Football is unpredictable and extraordinary. Something will happen that will warm our souls.”
⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.
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Australia grants asylum to 5 Iranian women’s soccer players amid Iran conflict
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Australia granted asylum to five players from the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting for a tournament when the U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran began.
Australian federal police officers on Tuesday transported the five women from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia, to a “safe location” after they made asylum requests to meet with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and to finalize the processing of their humanitarian visas.
“Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here,” Burke said on X.
The move comes after the team refused to sing the Iranian anthem before their first Women’s Asian Cup match early last week against South Korea, although they later sang and saluted the anthem in two subsequent matches, including ahead of their final match, when they were eliminated by the Philippines.
IRANIAN WOMEN’S SOCCER FANS SHOW SUPPORT FOR TRUMP AS TEAM APPEARS TO PIVOT ON NATIONAL ANTHEM STANCE
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke poses with five Iranian women soccer players who have been granted asylum in Australia, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Australia Ministry of Home Affairs)
“I don’t want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” Burke told reporters after signing the documents. “People were very excited about embarking on a life in Australia.”
The five women said they were happy for their names and pictures to be published, according to Burke, who emphasized that the players wanted to make clear that they were not political activists.
The Iranian team arrived in Australia for the tournament before the war against Iran began on Feb. 28.
After the team was eliminated from the tournament over the weekend, they faced potentially returning to a country still under bombardment. The team’s head coach, Marziyeh Jafari, said on Sunday the players “want to come back to Iran as soon as we can.”
An official squad list named 26 players, as well as Jafari and other coaches.
While only five players were granted asylum, Burke said the offer was given to everyone on the team.
IRAN FLAG REMOVED FROM PARALYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY AFTER SOLE ATHLETE WITHDRAWS OVER TRAVEL SAFETY CONCERNS
Iran players during their national anthem ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAPImage via AP)
“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realize they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions that they’re making,” Burke said. “The opportunity will continue to be there for them to talk to Australian officials if they wish to.”
It remains unclear when the remaining players will leave Australia.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. “They’re safe here and they should feel at home here.”
“They then had to consider that and do it in a way that did not present any danger to them or to their families and friends back home in Iran,” he continued.
The asylum offer came after U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday called on Australia to grant asylum to any team member who wanted it.
Trump had blasted Australia on social media, saying Australia was “making a terrible humanitarian mistake” by allowing the team to be “forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.”
Supporters react towards a bus transporting Iranian woman players following their Women’s Asian Cup soccer match against the Philippines on the Gold Coast, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
“The U.S. will take them if you won’t,” Trump said, despite his administration’s efforts to limit the number of immigrants in the U.S. who can receive asylum for political purposes.
Just hours later, Trump praised Albanese in another post.
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“He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” Trump wrote.
Albanese said Trump had called him for “a very positive conversation,” about the issue. The prime minister said he explained “the action that we’d undertaken over the previous 48 hours” to support the women.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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