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Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension
By Star Tribune
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.
Key takeaway forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's suspension has significant implications for Minneapolis soccer fans, many of whom closely follow the World Cup. As the integrity of FIFA and the tournament is questioned, local enthusiasts may wonder about the potential consequences for the sport's reputation in the Twin Cities. Minneapolis, with its diverse community and strong interest in international soccer, is likely to be affected by the fallout from this incident. The fact that President Donald Trump's call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino preceded Balogun's clearance to play will undoubtedly raise eyebrows among Minneapolis residents, who value fair play and transparency in sports. As the situation unfolds, Minneapolis soccer fans will be watching closely to see how FIFA responds to the criticism and whether the organization can restore confidence in the World Cup's integrity. The city's soccer community will be eager to discuss and debate the implications of this controversy.
About this story
Original reporting by Star Tribune . 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 Star Tribune . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: Star Tribune ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by Star Tribune and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Star Tribune. 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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