WATCH: Sen. Cruz thanks Trump for 'getting rid' of Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-sen-cruz-thanks-trump-for-getting-rid-of-folarin-baloguns-world-cup-red-card Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Sen. Cruz thanks Trump for 'getting rid' of Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card Politics Jul 6, 2026 11:40 AM EDT Sen. Ted Cruz thanked President Donald Trump on Monday for intervening against a "ridiculous" World Cup red card for Folarin Balogun. Watch the clip in the video player above. Speaking alongside the president, Cruz began his remarks at an event on Trump Accounts by thanking Trump for working to get FIFA to reverse Balogun's red card penalty of a one-game suspension. READ MORE: Belgium challenging FIFA's ruling to let U.S. forward play at World Cup, UEFA calls it 'incomprehensible' "On behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card," Cruz said. "It was spectacular. There was a reason the FIFA trophy sat here for as long as it did." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Cruz appeared to be referring to a White House visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who in a rare move brought the World Cup trophy. Trump thanked FIFA over the weekend after he and the White House intervened to enable Balogun to play in Monday's match against Belgium. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now