local
FIFA lifts US star striker Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino
By RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, rec...
Key takeaway President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.
Why this matters in Westlake News
The suspension of Folarin Balogun's one-game ban by FIFA will likely resonate with soccer fans in West Lake Hills , where interest in the US national team runs high. As the team prepares to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, local residents will be watching closely to see how Balogun's presence on the field impacts the game. With three goals already scored in the tournament, Balogun's participation is crucial to the team's chances of advancing. The community in West Lake Hills, known for its strong support of local sports teams, will likely be gathering at local watch parties and restaurants to cheer on the US team and see if they can make a deep run in the tournament. The outcome of this match will be a major topic of conversation in the area, at least for the next few days.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News . Westlake 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 KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Westlake News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, rec...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News and curated for Westlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by RONALD BLUM and MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News. To learn more about how Westlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Westlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter