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 FIFA decided to suspend the one-game ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium.
United States President Donald Trump called FIFA to ask for a review of the red card, and while it created a lot of controversy, Balogun revealed it was also like that around Team USA.
“I knew it was gonna cause a lot of controversy. I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves,” Balogun said on Tuesday. “I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult with a lot of outside noise.”
Folarin Balogun on Donald Trump’s intervention in getting his World Cup ban suspended on @CBSMornings: “I knew it was gonna cause a lot of controversy. I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves… I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult with a… pic.twitter.com/ZHzYD7Z6u4
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 14, 2026
FIFA insisted that Trump’s intervention was not a factor in the decision to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, but it still raised plenty of eyebrows in a questionable turn of events.
In the end, Folarin Balogun and Team USA were blown out by Belgium, 4-1, as the Americans once again fell short of the quarterfinal round.
