FIFA men's World Cup 2026

[phkrause]

⚽️ U.S. survives a man down

U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman celebrates the Americans' second goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara last night. Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images The U.S. beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 last night for its first World Cup knockout-round win in 24 years, Axios' Bob Gee writes. The U.S. showed grit and resilience playing a man down after losing striker Folarin Balogun, the team's leading scorer. Balogun was issued a red card in the second half after he inadvertently landed on a Bosnia defender's heel, meaning he must sit out the next game. Midfielder Malik Tillman sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a free kick that curled over the Bosnian wall and past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Next up, the Americans face Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Read on. Team USA The USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the World Cup Round of 16, earning its first knockout-stage victory since 2002. The historic win now sets up a highly anticipated clash with Belgium on Monday in Seattle. Catch up here. Malik Tillman of the US celebrates after scoring the team's second goal. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) FOLLOW ALONG: Sign up for The Beautiful Game, CNN Sports' daily World Cup newsletter

[phkrause]

World Cup controversy

The soccer world is up in arms over FIFA’s decision to allow Team USA’s Folarin Balogun to be eligible to play against Belgium today despite being sent off in the previous match. A source familiar with the matter told CNN on Sunday that President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino this week after Balogun’s red card and asked him to review the call. Read more.

ANALYSIS: Trump’s red card call stirs political storm around World Cup   FIFA lifts US star’s suspension at World Cup after Trump call President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of star U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted, allowing him to play against Belgium on Monday. Read more. Why this matters: Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game with Bosnia-Herzegovina asking FIFA to review the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension.   The extraordinary move triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said in a statement on social media. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished.” RELATED COVERAGE ➤ UEFA says decision by FIFA to let U.S. forward play at World Cup is ‘incomprehensible’   Previewing the US match against Belgium

[phkrause]

Belgian federation to challenge FIFA’s decision to let Folarin Balogun play in World Cup match

The Belgian soccer federation wants an explanation from FIFA about a decision to let U.S forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup despite getting a red card in his previous game.

https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-balogun-belgium-fifa-84795f69bc7a2b6ebe5f7486f34654d7?

[phkrause]

Belgium beats US 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, taking advantage of defensive lapses

SEATTLE (AP) — Images told the story of the United States’ World Cup downfall.

https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-united-states-belgium-score-0325e8102be7a88e852079deffd70ca0?

ps:Good for them! The US didn't need any help from the man that has no knowledgeable of soccer!! They could've won on there own, they didn't need someone to try and fix the game for them!!!!!!!!!!

⚽ World Cup bummer

View from behind the goal as U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese unable to stop Belgium's fourth score during a 4-1 World Cup Round of 16 loss in Seattle. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images The U.S. crashed out of its home World Cup last night, losing 4–1 to Belgium in Seattle, just after President Trump leaned on FIFA to get striker Folarin Balogun cleared to play. The Americans got their best crack at a deep run in a generation with home turf, a soft bracket and a mostly healthy roster, but squandered it in a lopsided and embarrassing exit. Belgium rested two of its biggest stars and still won comfortably — a measure of how far the Americans remain from soccer's elite. The match was nearly over before it started. A Belgium forward scored in the ninth minute, and though the U.S. bounced back on a deflected free kick, the same Belgian struck again two minutes later to take back the lead. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese's blunder, mishandling a ball far outside his net, gave Belgium a third goal, and then the Belgians scored a fourth in the final minute. For a month, America charmed the soccer world as co-host and won over visiting fans. That goodwill came crashing down after FIFA reversed the suspension of Balogun, the U.S.'s leading scorer. The reversal came after Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Balogun had been red-carded a match earlier. The reversal drew a rare public rebuke from Europe's soccer establishment. Photo: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo, one of soccer's biggest superstars, teared up on the pitch in Arlington, Texas, after playing in his last World Cup match yesterday. Portugal, where he made his international debut 23 years ago, was eliminated by Spain. That ended the World Cup career for the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233). He's the only player to score goals in six consecutive World Cups. "I go with a clear conscience," Ronaldo, 41, said after the match. Photo gallery: Ronaldo in six World Cups.

[phkrause]

US loses and integrity of World Cup questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding star US player’s suspension Folarin Balogun’s presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of soccer, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans’ 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday. Read more.

Why this matters: The striker was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday’s match after President Donald Trump intervened on Balogun's behalf. FIFA’s decision prompted soccer leaders to question the integrity of the World Cup, with European soccer body UEFA saying FIFA “crossed a red line” and Belgium’s soccer federation contesting Balogun's eligibility.   FIFA’s disciplinary committee defended its decision Monday. Trump on Monday called the referee’s decision a “horrible” call while admitting he was confused about the rules and punishment surrounding red cards.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US eliminated in 4-1 loss to Belgium   Trump says World Cup referee’s red card call was ‘horrible’ but insists he left outcome to FIFA   WATCH: Emotional rollercoaster for US fans   Photos of the US match

[phkrause]

Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt and spot in World Cup quarterfinals

ATLANTA (AP) — It was another World Cup epic from an Argentina team that simply doesn’t know when it’s beaten.

https://apnews.com/article/argentina-egypt-world-cup-score-5129f0693b78e1ca7efeee87c46cc4cb?

[phkrause]

World Cup's TV golazo

Spain fans gather for the World Cup game between Spain and Belgium in Los Angeles Stadium today. Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images ⚽ Even some soccer fans who don't speak Spanish are finding themselves hooked on Telemundo's World Cup broadcasts this summer, Axios' Herb Scribner writes. The result: Record-breaking ratings and billions of minutes consumed, according to NBC Sports. 🔢 By the numbers: More than 42 million viewers tuned in Monday night across both Fox Sports and Telemundo for the USA vs. Belgium match, setting the record for the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history. England vs. Mexico drew nearly 45 million viewers between Telemundo (23.2 million) and Fox Sports (21.7 million) — beating viewership of some NFL playoff games. 🦊 Reality check: Fox Sports counters that it's dominating the FIFA World Cup across FOX, FS1 and Tubi, averaging 6.687 million viewers per telecast — nearly triple Telemundo/Universo, averaging 2.801 million viewers. Fox's coverage of the USA vs. Bosnia match on July 1 was the most-watched live sports event of the week, delivering 26.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Sports Business Journal notes that for technical reasons, some industry insiders are skeptical of some of the Telemundo data cited above. Andrés Cantor of Telemundo has become a cultural phenomenon. Photo: Steven Molina Contreras for The New York Times 🎙️ New viewers are discovering the charm and excitement that Telemundo brings to the game, most notably the electric "Goooooooooal!" celebration by announcer Andrés Cantor — something he trains to deliver, The New York Times reports (gift link). FIFA President Gianni Infantino told The Times: "It's pure commentary master class — taking the emotions from the field and transmitting them to a global audience, a skill that he has perfected over the years." 💰 The other side: The success of Telemundo is raising the stakes for future World Cup broadcast bids. Netflix, Disney and YouTube are reportedly eyeing the rights for future World Cups in deals worth $2 billion. Spanish-language rights — normally sold separately — could be sold with the English rights, CNBC reports, allowing FIFA to drive up the price. Get the latest.