US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday his country’s World Cup team had been “screwed” and called for an appeal after star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Washington’s top diplomat tackled the sporting controversy a day after Balogun was given a red card in the 2-0 US win. Balogun is now set to miss his side’s last-16 showdown with Belgium.
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“It was great. They got screwed with that red card,” Rubio told reporters during a brief appearance in the White House briefing room when asked how the co-hosts were doing in the tournament.
“There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that, right?” added Rubio, who was leading a group of people on a tour.
While he weighed in on the World Cup, US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic pointman declined to answer questions on Lebanon and Iran.
“Guys I’m not here to talk about the news,” Rubio added.
USA bounce Bosnia to continue run | 01:01
According to FIFA regulations, Balogun is automatically suspended for his team’s next match, and the suspension cannot be appealed, a spokesman for the governing body told journalists on Wednesday.
In the 64th minute of Wednesday’s knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was controversially judged after a VAR review to have stamped on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic’s foot.
USA’s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match that Balogun — who scored the US opener in Wednesday’s game — should “never” have received a red card.
Pochettino said it “should be fair” to appeal the decision, but said he would have to consider “different options” if it is not.
Balogun — who was born in New York but raised in England and now plays for French club Monaco — has scored three times for the USA this World Cup and his loss will be a major blow.
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LIVERPOOL LEGEND SET FOR SHOCK RETURN
Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly set to be sacked as Germany coach, tabloid Bild reported Thursday, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp the favourite to take over in the dugout.
Nagelsmann, 38, has been under fire since Germany’s last 32 exit from the World Cup after a shock loss to Paraguay.
Showing pictures of Nagelsmann at German FA (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Bild reported Thursday the coach had been offered a severance package of seven million euros ($8 million) to leave the position in a three-hour meeting.
Last renewed in January 2025, Nagelsmann’s contract is set to run until 2028. Figures on his annual salary have not been made public, although German media reports he earns roughly seven million euros per year.
Germany’s loss on penalties to Paraguay marked the third straight early World Cup exit for the four-time champions, after group stage eliminations in Russia and Qatar.
Monday’s defeat was Germany’s first knockout match since winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
On Tuesday, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf announced an immediate investigation into the World Cup failure.
A decision on Nagelsmann is expected “by the beginning of next week at the latest”, AFP sports subsidiary SID reported Thursday.
Several German media outlets, including Sky and Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have said Klopp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Nagelsmann.
Klopp stepped away from management after leaving Liverpool in 2024 and has since been engaged as the head of global football for energy drink brand Red Bull, overseeing a multi-club network which includes clubs in Austria, Germany, Brazil, the United States and Japan.
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WORLD CUP’S FEEL GOOD STORY PREPARE FOR MESSI
Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the “match of our lives” but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday’s last 32 clash.
The African archipelago of just over 500,000 people have progressed to the knockout stages in their first ever World Cup after drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in the group stages.
“We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about,” Bubista told his pre-match press conference.
“We know the importance of the match ahead. It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best.” Argentina are among the favourites to retain their title and secure a fourth World Cup crown after Messi scored six times in three dominant group stage wins.
However, Bubista said his side will not be intimidated by facing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the side ranked first in the world.
“There is no other thought in our minds than trying to advance past this round,” he added.
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Spain impress with dominant Austria win | 00:59
TEEN STAR’S WORLD CUP STATEMENT
Spain star Lamine Yamal said Thursday he was delighted with his team’s performance in their 3-0 win in the World Cup last 32 against Austria — but admitted he would have liked to score.
“I was just missing a goal or an assist,” said the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation, who was named man of the match.
“But as long as we win and advance to the next round, that’s what matters,” he told journalists in Los Angeles.
Pressed by one reporter on why he seemed glum after a World Cup knockout win, Yamal insisted he was happy inside, even if he didn’t show it outwardly.
“I really am happy. That match is over, and now we have to think about the next one,” he said.
“I’m very grateful for the affection shown to me in every stadium. It helps me step onto the pitch more motivated,” he added.
Yamal, who will turn 19 on July 13, reiterated that his dream is to be a World Cup winner at the final in New Jersey on July 19.
“There’s nothing better than the World Cup,” he said.
“When a kid dreams about football, they dream of playing in the World Cup. I want to advance through the rounds and win with Spain.” He added: “We aren’t afraid of any team. We are Spain. We have to prove it on the pitch.”
Yamal did briefly break into a smile when one journalist showed him a video of his three-year-old brother celebrating the victory in the Los Angeles stands.
“It moves me to see my brother, my mother and my friends happy… My brother is like a son to me. I adore him,” he said The comfortable win Thursday was also a fourth straight clean sheet for Spain, who are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.
“Today we came close to perfection from the 20th minute until the end of the match,” said goalkeeper Unai Simon.
“We have to keep maintaining that level to keep advancing through the stages,” he said.
Asked whether he would prefer to face Portugal or Croatia in the round of 16 in Dallas on Monday, Simon declined to pick.
“Whenever we’ve played against either Portugal or Spain, they’ve made things incredibly difficult for us — in general play, in pressing and in set pieces,” he said.
“Both teams have players with spectacular set-piece delivery — I wouldn’t want to face either of them,” he admitted.
Portugal and Croatia were meeting in the round of 32 later on Thursday.