local
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 Midland
The news of President Trump's call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sent shockwaves throughout the soccer community, and Midland residents are likely to be divided on the issue. As a community that values fair play and sportsmanship, many in Midland may be questioning the influence of external factors on the outcome of the game. The fact that the suspension was lifted, allowing Folarin Balogun to play in the upcoming match against Belgium, has sparked outrage from the Belgian team and raised concerns about the integrity of the game. For Midlanders who follow soccer, this controversy may resonate with their own experiences of disputed calls and controversial decisions in local sports leagues. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how this development affects the perception of the tournament and the role of external influences on the game.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE , Associated Press at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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