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FIFA lifts US star striker Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino
By ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 5, 2026
· 6 min read
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.
Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, rec...
Key takeaway FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Minneapolis soccer fans are likely to be divided on the news that FIFA lifted the red card suspension of US star striker Folarin Balogun. While some will be thrilled that Balogun can play in the World Cup match against Belgium, others will question the fairness of the decision, particularly given the involvement of US President Donald Trump. The controversy surrounding the suspension and its subsequent lifting may spark debate among local soccer enthusiasts, with some arguing that politics should not influence sporting decisions. As the US team prepares to face Belgium, Minneapolis residents will be watching closely to see how this unusual turn of events affects the team's performance and the overall tournament. The city's soccer community, which has been following the World Cup with great interest, will be eager to discuss the implications of this decision and its potential impact on the sport's integrity.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.
Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, rec...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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