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Trump says World Cup referee’s red card call was ‘horrible’ but insists he left outcome to FIFA
By RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE , Associated Press at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 6, 2026
· 6 min read
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against the United States’ star forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup but said he did not demand an outcome.“All I did was ask for a review,” Trump said when asked about it during an unr...
Key takeaway But he said FIFA made the final call to lift Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban for a foul tackle, allowing him to play in Monday’s round of 16 match with Belgium in Seattle.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The news of President Trump's intervention on behalf of Team USA's Folarin Balogun has significant implications for the local community in Laredo , where soccer is a beloved sport. Many residents in Webb County are likely to be following the World Cup closely, and the controversy surrounding Balogun's red card has sparked intense debate. The fact that Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the decision has raised questions about the role of politics in sports. For Laredoans, the outcome of this situation will be of great interest, particularly if they have been following Balogun's performance in the tournament. The city's strong soccer culture, with many local teams and leagues, means that residents will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what it might mean for the sport as a whole. Local soccer fans will likely be discussing this controversy in the days to come.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against the United States’ star forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup but said he did not demand an outcome.“All I did was ask for a review,” Trump said when asked about it during an unr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE , Associated Press at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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