local
Trump says World Cup referee's red card call was 'horrible' but insists he left outcome to FIFA
By Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
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 unrelated Oval Office...
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 Alamo Heights News
For Alamo Heights residents who follow soccer, the controversy surrounding the red card issued to US star forward Folarin Balogun has been a major talking point. President Trump's intervention in the matter, which ultimately led to the suspension of Balogun's one-game ban, has sparked both celebration and condemnation. Locally, the incident may resonate with fans who attend San Antonio soccer matches, where similar disputes over referee calls can be just as heated. The fact that Texas Senator Ted Cruz was on hand to thank Trump for his involvement adds a layer of local interest to the story, highlighting the state's connection to the international sports world. As the US team moves forward in the World Cup, Alamo Heights soccer enthusiasts will be watching to see how the team performs, and whether the controversy over the red card has any lasting impact on the tournament.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights 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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 unrelated Oval Office...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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