'It Was Difficult': Folarin Balogun Breaks His Silence on Donald Trump Meddling in World Cup
Balogun said teammates felt nerves after FIFA reversed his one-match ban, and he led the United States with three goals before the loss to Belgium.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino reversed Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup after President Donald Trump requested a review of the red card.
- Following a red card during the Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun received an automatic one-match ban that would have sidelined the team's top player for the knockout stage.
- Describing the situation on CBS Mornings, Balogun stated, "I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves, because it was something that's so unique," and admitted that avoiding "outside noise" proved difficult.
- The United States suffered a 4-1 elimination loss to Belgium, ending the tournament run. Balogun, who led the team with three goals in four World Cup games, was held off the scoresheet in the defeat.
- Coach Mauricio Pochettino and midfielder Tyler Adams maintained the controversy did not impact the squad. Adams stated, "I don't think that noise or anything affected us by any means," following the loss.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Folarin Balogun addresses Donald Trump's involvement with World Cup red card
Jun 28, 2026; Irvine, California, USA; USA forward Folarin Balogun (20) interviews before a training session in preparation for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup match at Great Park Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bailey Holiver-Imagn Images Team USA star Folarin Balogun became a household name with strong play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Balogun was involved in controversy. He received a red card and a one-game suspension, although …
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Myung-eon = U.S. national soccer team forward Paularin, who stands at the center of controversy due to the unprecedented situation of having his red card suspension suspended at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup...
Soccer-US striker Balogun expected controversy over suspended red-card ban
July 14 (Reuters) - U.S. striker Folarin Balogun said he knew FIFA's decision to suspend his one-game red-card ban at the World Cup would cause "a lot of controversy", after U.S. President Donald Trump called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to revi...
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Folarin Balogun: Red-card reversal ‘controversy’ distracted USMNT
United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun said Tuesday that his overturned suspension in the World Cup went from elation among his teammates to a sense of uneasiness that impacted the side's final match of the tournament. In a visit to "CBS Mornings," Balogun described the whirlwind of emotions that started with his red
The American striker recognized a certain nervousness in his companions once jumped the announcement of his annulment of the sanction
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