Mac Algo (@MacAlgoTrader)

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John Asghar MD

@JahangirAsgha10

3h

The UEFA and Belgian hyperbole here is insane. I am not defending FIFA. The process should be more transparent, especially if outside political pressure was involved. But the idea that U.S. Soccer or the USMNT violated fair play by advocating for Balogun after a controversial call is absurd. Every federation protects its players when it thinks a decision is wrong. Belgium is literally doing that right now. The issue is not that the U.S. asked. The issue is whether FIFA has a consistent and transparent process. If FIFA has a rule that lets them suspend the enforcement of a punishment, then explain why it applies here and why it will apply the same way next time. That is a fair criticism. But the pearl clutching that only starts when a non European country benefits from the gray area is hard to take seriously. Duplicitous whiners.

UEFA

@UEFA

4h

UEFA statement on the Balogun case: ⬇️ uefa.com/news-media/news/02a…

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American Hooligans 🇺🇸⚽️

@AmericanHoolis

35m

AMERICA GET THE F*CK UP IT’S A MASSIVE USMNT 🇺🇸 MATCH DAY

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Meg Brock

@MegEBrock

12h

He’s right. The main point is there was no foul called on the field. Thats why the straight red card was so egregious. The purpose of VAR is to evaluate a call on the field—not to create new calls. If VAR is used to create calls it will destroy the game of soccer. The most corrupt thing about all of this is the referee who disregarded the rules and tried to kneecap the USA in TWO games. Anyone with TDS can go ahead and cry harder while the actual rules are being withheld.

Ryan Phillips

@RumorsandRants

20h

The Balogun decision might feel shady, but it definitely is the correct ruling. It went from not being a foul on the field to a red card while not following proper VAR protocols. Bottom line: FIFA should be able to review cards and suspensions after the fact similar to the NBA with techs/flagrants. #USMNT

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Mark Valorian

@markvalorian

18h

This is a hilarious argument re the Balogun red card. 1) A play happened on the field. 2) VAR reviewed reversed the previous decision. 3) FIFA reviewed reversed the previous decision. The argument below says step 2 is valid, but step 3 is totally out of bounds…the problem is they are the exact same thing! Why is one review reversal valid but the other is not? It is an identical process. Both times FIFA considers the evidence before them and makes an informed decision from a more omniscient vantage point. If you are against any review at all, you should be against VAR as well, in which case you should be arguing for the call on the field…which was…drumroll please…NO RED CARD 😂 This argument runs entirely on bias. Totally hilarious.

Franco Panizo

@FrancoPanizo

21h

I know this will rub #USMNT fans wrong way, but this reported decision is bullshit. If you receive a red — controversial or not — you’re suspended for next game. Suspending the suspension is laughable and automatically puts into question integrity of competition. #FIFAWorldCup

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David Furones

@DavidFurones_

16h

Belgians: We deserve an advantage in the round of 16 because our opponent was affected in the previous round by a ruling that was questionable at best and completely unrelated to our last match.

ESPN FC

@ESPNFC

18h

Belgium's full statement on Folarin Balogun's red card being overturned (via @belreddevils)

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Big Cat

@BarstoolBigCat

11h

World Cup Rocks (minus the crybaby Euro fans who are mad about Balogun)

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Jeremy Schaap

@JeremySchaap

12h

On Balogun, via ESPN's @MarkOgden_ , here's former Premier League ref Andy Davies: "In my postmatch review, I spoke about not only the decision being incorrect, but the VAR process not aligning to protocol, as only slo-mo and still pictures were presented to the referee when asked to review the situation at the screen," Davies said. "Real-time footage should have been considered by the referee, and this was not the case. "In my opinion, FIFA has reviewed the incident internally and felt that either the judgment to send off Balogun was incorrect, or the correct process to do so via VAR was not followed. But either way, this outcome feels like a pivot from FIFA using a regulation to add credibility to their reasoning. The decision lacks transparency and a credible rationale as to why a red card has effectively been overturned." To summarize, Davies says the call was wrong and the wrong procedure was used to make it. That's 0 for 2. But FIFA owes it to everyone--the USMNT, its fans, Belgium, everyone else--to explain the process.

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Mac Algo

@MacAlgoTrader

11h

This game is absolute madness.

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Mark Valorian

@markvalorian

16h

A critical element that the "rulebook purists" arguing Balogun deserved a red card are conveniently overlooking: BALOGUN was the one who was challenged from behind. The Bosnian player played *through* Balogun from behind and placed himself in the path of Balogun's natural step. When he begins taking that step, Balogun has no idea the Bosnian player would even be in front of him. In that sense, you can't really even consider his move a "challenge." It was simply a step that incidentally landed in the same place the opponent's foot did. In fact, the reason Balogun's step came down so hard is *because* the Bosnian player challenged into him and knocked him off balance. This is not "reckless" or "excessive force" by any stretch of the imagination. The red card was *obviously* unjustified from the outset. The only thing FIFA got wrong here is not immediately suspending the red card after the match. x.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status…

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Richard Motzkin

@RichardMotzkin

17h

That is incorrect. There is an appeal process via the Disciplinary Committee, @ussoccer went through it and, in my opinion, the correct result was achieved due to an incorrect application of the VAR rules, general equity and past precedent. As for Belgium, they should not be benefitted by a wrong decision nor should they want to play a short-handed team. All countries in a World Cup tournament should have confidence in their team and desire to beat an opponent at full strength, simple.

D v H @DvH_NorthEast

17h

Absolute nonsense. Wether it's a sending off or not, he was shown a red card. There's no appeal during the tournament so he should be banned. This is more corruption from FIFA, but we shouldn't be surprised.

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Mac Algo

@MacAlgoTrader

15h

Never seen so many people butthurt over an incorrect call being corrected lol

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Mac Algo

@MacAlgoTrader

18h

As an American I never want to beat a team that is missing their best player. I want all the smoke. Guess things are different overseas.

Fabrizio Romano

@FabrizioRomano

18h

🚨⚠️ OFFICIAL: Belgian Federation statement on Folarin Balogun red card case, saying they are “astonished”. “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time). FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.” The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations. ❗️In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

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Mike Conti @MikeConti929

20h

This isn’t favoritism. IFAB’s VAR protocol was misapplied: “The VAR can ‘check’ the footage in normal speed and/or in slow motion; but, in general… normal speed should be used for the ‘intensity’ of an offence.” FIFA used Article 27 to correct the error.

model citizen @canmnt

21h

Not that they'll care, but it also means the bizarre favouritism turns every neutral against them

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Adam Crafton

@AdamCrafton_

21h

BREAKING @TheAthleticFC Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium with his one-game red-card ban suspended. Extraordinary development. Story with @Dan_Sheldon_ nytimes.com/athletic/7423410…

Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended (Gift Article)

Balogun was set to be suspended for Monday's game but will be now free to be selected.

nytimes.com

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Mac Algo

@MacAlgoTrader

Jul 4

Because we might just be better than everyone. Miracle on grass incoming.

fan 🇵🇹

@NoodleHairCR7

Jul 4

How did USA beat this Paraguay superteam 4-1

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Chris Cauley @chriscauley

Jul 4

Moral of the story…. Turn. Off. The. News.

Matt Van Swol

@mattvanswol

Jul 4

🚨#BREAKING: A German soccer fan who flew to the USA but was fearful about coming because of news about criminals and people being mean... ...breaks down into TEARS, live on air saying he has FALLEN IN LOVE with America after a random man named "Bob" in Boston gave him a ride home after he was stuck at a game with no way back to his hotel The German soccer fan's name is Sebastian, he said after meeting Bob, he extended his entire trip. He said leaving America will hurt worse than watching Germany get knocked out of the World Cup. "I fall in love with America. I'm sorry, it's just so emotional. Americans are not rude... if we are together, we can achieve great things." THIS IS THE AMERICA I KNOW!!!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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Mac Algo

@MacAlgoTrader

Jul 4

All bets are off. United States can absolutely win this World Cup.

Polymarket Sports

@PolymarketSport

Jul 4

🚨FACT: The USA was up 3-0 on Paraguay by half France is tied with them 0-0 at half

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Kevin Van Valkenburg

@KVanValkenburg

Jul 4

Watching our mates in England come *unglued* about having to play a game at Azteca when the USMNT has been walking into that lion’s den forever has been very funny.

talkSPORT

@talkSPORT

Jul 3

“Absolute disgrace and unfair!” Jamie O’Hara is fuming that England have to play Mexico at the Azteca stadium in the round of 16 World Cup. #england #mexico #FIFAWorldCup26

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Jonathan Raymond @jisaacraymond

Jul 4

The English and Scots showed up for one World Cup and we’re finally singing at baseball games. It’s beautiful.

Brandon Gaudin @BrandonGaudin

Jul 4

This is one of the coolest things I can recall seeing live at a baseball game

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Kyle Porter

@KylePorterNS

Jul 4

I don’t want to overstate it but this might be the greatest sporting event of all time.

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