New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacted with a famous quote by Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho when asked to react to the postponement of Folarin Balogun’s suspension at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Balogun got a straight red card for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic during the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Initially, he was set to miss his side’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium; however, FIFA stirred up a controversy by adjourning his ban for a year and making him eligible to play.
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Mamdani’s love for football is widely known and well-documented. He is a passionate fan of Premier League giants Arsenal and has been seen sporting the Gunners’ jersey at several public events.
The 34-year-old has regularly been involved in footballing conversations in real life as well as on the internet. After the recent controversy surrounding Balogun’s red card, many fans wanted to know his opinion on the matter.
X user @C_Sommerfeldt wrote:
“One prominent politician who hasn’t chimed in yet on the reversal of @USMNT’s Folarin Balogun’s 1-game suspension: Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Before the suspension was reversed, tho, Mamdani said on his “Morning Pitch” stream yesterday that Balogun was “cruelly” given a red card.”
To this, Mamdani replied with a GIF of Mourinho’s famous quote:
“I prefer really not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble, in big trouble and I don’t want to be in trouble.”
Having bagged three goals in three games, Balogun has been a key contributor in attack for the USMNT at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The reversal of his suspension has handed a big boost to Mauricio Pochettino’s side ahead of their all-important clash against Belgium.
“He’s got a big smile” – USMNT captain makes claim about Folarin Balogun after postponement of red card suspension at 2026 FIFA World Cup
USMNT captain Tim Ream has revealed that star forward Folarin Balogun has been over the moon since the adjournment of his red card suspension at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ream, who has made three appearances for the Stars and Stripes at the ongoing tournament, made the revelation while speaking on Good Morning America. The 38-year-old, who plays for MLS side Charlotte FC at club level, said (via ABC News):
“I think he’s excited that he can actually contribute on the field and not just be a cheerleader, but Balo, he’s got a big smile, and he’s been beaming ear to ear since we all found out the news.”
The highly-anticipated FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between the USMNT and Belgium will be played at the Seattle Stadium on Monday (July 6).
Edited by Aaryan Nagraj