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Historic World Cup furor at FIFA decision to meet Trump’s wish and let US forward Balogun play
By ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
GENEVA (AP) — With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from U.S. President Donald Trump before United States star forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.
Inf...
Key takeaway ” ___ See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here Copyright 2026 The Associated Press.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The fallout from FIFA's decision to let US forward Folarin Balogun play is being closely watched in Minneapolis , where soccer fans are weighing in on the controversy. With the US-Belgium match taking place in Seattle, Minnesotans are considering the potential implications for the sport's integrity. The fact that the match is being held in the US, just a short distance from Minneapolis, adds a layer of local interest to the story. As the home of a thriving soccer community, Minneapolis residents are likely to be concerned about the impact of political interference on the sport. The city's own soccer enthusiasts may be wondering what this means for the future of the game, and whether the rules will be consistently enforced. As the situation continues to unfold, Minneapolis fans will be keeping a close eye on the developments and their potential effects on the sport they love.
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 6, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GENEVA (AP) — With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from U.S. President Donald Trump before United States star forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.
Inf...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 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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