NPR
Trump's FIFA call opens a 'slippery slope,' says sports columnist Christine Brennan
+261 words added -267 words removed
Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! and Belgium and the lifted suspension of a U.S. star forward. David Ramos/Getty Images hide caption
Soccer Edition The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium The U.S. men's national soccer team's World Cup run ended Monday with a 4-1 loss to Belgium. After the game, attention returned to FIFA's controversial decision to let U.S. striker Folarin Balogun play, even though he was handed a red card during the July 1 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
During the phone call with Infantino, Trump wanted to understand the reasoning behind the decision to give a red card and a suspension, according to an official with knowledge of the call who was granted anonymity to discuss a private conversation. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote Sunday in a post on Truth Social.
team. U.S. prepares to host the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sponsor Message
Become an NPR sponsor
− Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics What a sports columnist says about Trump's FIFA call NPR's A Martinez speaks with USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan about the World Cup match between the U.S.
+ Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics What a sports columnist says about Trump's FIFA call NPR's A Martínez speaks with USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan about the World Cup match between the U.S.
− Sports Trump's FIFA call opens a 'slippery slope,' says sports columnist Christine Brennan Updated July 7, 202612:55 PM ET Originally published July 7, 20264:40 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition A Martínez
Folarin Balogun (20) is consoled by Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia after the United States' 4-1 loss to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 on Monday at Seattle Stadium in Seattle.
+ Sports Trump's FIFA call opens a 'slippery slope,' says sports columnist Christine Brennan Updated July 7, 202612:55 PM ET Originally published July 7, 20264:40 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition A Martínez
Folarin Balogun is consoled by Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia after the United States' 4-1 loss to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup on Monday at Seattle Stadium.
− FIFA had delayed Balogun's suspension by a year after President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the decision.
+ FIFA delayed Balogun's suspension by a year after President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the decision.
− "I have never covered a story in which a head of state actually inserted him or herself into the field of play," sports columnist for USA Today Christine Brennan told Morning Edition on Tuesday.
+ "I have never covered a story in which a head of state actually inserted him- or herself into the field of play," USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan told Morning Edition on Tuesday.
− Brennan said it is unclear how much the previous 36 hours affected the U.S.
+ Brennan said it is unclear how much the 36 hours prior to the game affected the U.S.
− captain Tim Ream said the team was not distracted.
+ Captain Tim Ream said the team was not distracted.
− But the columnist said the team's performance told a different story, describing the Americans as "ugly, sloppy, unfocused."
Brennan added the episode could set a precedent for future international competitions, warning it opens a "slippery slope" as the U.S.
+ But the columnist said the team's performance told a different story, describing the Americans as "ugly, sloppy, unfocused."
Brennan added that the episode could set a precedent for future international competitions, warning that it opens a "slippery slope" as the U.S.
− Listen to the full live conversation by clicking the play button above.
+ Listen to the full conversation by clicking the play button above.