European leaders at the Nato summit in Ankara were reportedly warned not to raise the subject of the football World Cup with Donald Trump, amid fears that mentioning it could provoke the US President into lashing out at the alliance. The caution follows the United States team's exit from the tournament, said to have left Mr Trump in a "bad mood", and reflects wider anxiety among leaders keen to get through the summit without antagonising him.

According to a diplomatic source, leaders agreed to avoid the topic entirely, and Nato is said to be considering postponing its next summit until 2029 to sidestep further confrontation with the President. The tension was heightened after Mr Trump personally intervened with Fifa president Gianni Infantino to overturn a red card against US striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the round-of-16 tie against Belgium — a move that angered Belgium. Despite the intervention, the US lost 4-1, with Balogun failing to score, and jubilant Belgian players mocked Mr Trump, posting the message "Overturn this". Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever confirmed he had not discussed football with Mr Trump in Ankara, noting the President's reputation for "reacting a bit irritably" to things he dislikes.