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Trump called FIFA president after game to review Team USA’s Balogun’s red card, source says
By RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE , Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 5, 2026
· 4 min read
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose 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, received a red card for steppin...
Key takeaway Balogun, the American leader with three goals, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
Atlanta 's soccer fans are likely to be divided on the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card, with some hailing the decision to lift his suspension as a victory for fair play and others decrying it as undue influence from President Trump. As the city's own Atlanta United FC has shown, soccer has a significant following in the Atlanta area, and many fans will be watching the World Cup match against Belgium with great interest. The fact that Trump intervened on behalf of an American player may raise questions about the role of politics in sports, and how that might impact the perception of the game in Atlanta's diverse soccer community. With the city's strong international connections and vibrant sports scene, the fallout from this decision is likely to be closely watched in Atlanta.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 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 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, received a red card for steppin...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE , Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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