NEWSNATIONNOW (Dominick Mastrangelo and The Hill) - FIFA denies Belgium's appeal after reversing red card against Balogun
The federation found Belgium's appeal "inadmissible."
YOUTUBE (The Hill) - Trump admits FIFA intervention, rips into referee who gave Balogun red card
President Trump’s involvement in FIFA’s decision to push back a one-game suspension of a star striker on the U.S. men’s national soccer team is sparking accusations of corruption against the federation and angering soccer fans around the world. FIFA shocked many when it announced Sunday it had reversed a red card penalty handed down by officials last week to Team USA’s Folarin Balogun, who committed the violation during the team’s knockout match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. #trump #fifa #worldcup #balogun #infantino #politics #sports
AMERICANTHINKER - Trump’s right: At the World Cup, ‘a great injustice’ has been reversed
By Noel S. Williams A referee committed a foul against Folarin Balogun. Now, the big risk is that the USA team gets cocky or complacent.
NYTIMES (Yan Zhuang) - With No Team at the World Cup, China’s Fans Celebrate a Referee
Most people watching Curaçao play Ecuador focused on the team’s goalkeeper. For some fans in China, the draw was Ma Ning, the tournament’s highest-ranking Chinese referee.
YOUTUBE (The Hill) - Blanche, Mullin address Somali FIFA World Cup referee being denied US entry: 'Can't get cleared'
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will speak with reporters Thursday morning about the Trump administration’s efforts to protect unaccompanied migrant children. #toddblanche #markwaynemullin #immigration
HUFFPOST - Trump-Allied FIFA Chief Has Bizarre 'Just Chill, Relax' Response To World Cup Controversy
“Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just chill, relax,” Gianni Infantino said of the U.S. denying entry to Somali referee Omar Artan.
NEWSNATIONNOW (Alicia Nieves) - Ticket prices, travel bans loom ahead of World Cup 2026 opening
Another controversy involves Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the U.S.
NPR (Emmanuel Akinwotu) - Somali World Cup referee denied U.S. entry, hailed as hero at home
A World Cup dream denied — Somali referee Omar Artan receives a hero's welcome at home after being blocked from entering the United States and taking part in the World Cup.
THENATIONALPULSE (Pulse Wires) - Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry to U.S. Had Links to Suspected Terrorists.
A Somali referee selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was denied entry into the United States after federal authorities linked him to suspected members of terrorist organizations.
A Somali referee selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was denied entry into the United States after federal authorities linked him to suspected members of terrorist organizations. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Somali referee Omar Artan, selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , was denied entry into the United States after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials discovered information linking him to suspected members of terrorist organizations. Artan was stopped at Miami International Airport after arriving from Istanbul, Turkey, and subsequently deemed inadmissible under U.S. immigration law. DETAIL: The Trump administration said CBP officers discovered “derogatory information” during an inspection that made Artan…Open