The U.S. men’s national soccer team’s journey in the World Cup concluded on Monday with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. This match took place during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium. The spotlight, however, also turned to a decision made by FIFA concerning U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun was previously handed a red card during a match on July 1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA chose to delay his suspension for a year following a discussion between former U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. An anonymous official familiar with the call stated that Trump sought to understand the rationale behind the card and suspension.

Trump expressed gratitude on Truth Social, praising FIFA for addressing what he saw as an injustice. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote.

USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan commented on the unusual nature of a state leader’s involvement in sports decisions. Speaking to Morning Edition, Brennan highlighted the potential impact on the U.S. team, though U.S. captain Tim Ream claimed the team remained focused. Brennan described the team’s performance as “ugly, sloppy, unfocused,” hinting at potential distractions.

Brennan also raised concerns that this incident could create a precedent for future international sports events, mentioning the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The actions might lead to complex situations where political influence intersects with sports.