<\/p>\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday his country\u2019s World Cup team had been \u201cscrewed\u201d and called for an appeal after star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off<\/a> against Bosnia-Herzegovina.<\/p>\n Washington\u2019s 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\u2019s last-16 showdown with Belgium.<\/p>\n UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cIt was great. They got screwed with that red card,\u201d Rubio told reporters during a brief appearance in the White House briefing room when asked how the co-hosts were doing in the tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cThere needs to be an appeal process for that. It\u2019s probably too late for that, right?\u201d added Rubio, who was leading a group of people on a tour.<\/p>\n While he weighed in on the World Cup, US President Donald Trump\u2019s diplomatic pointman declined to answer questions on Lebanon and Iran.<\/p>\n \u201cGuys I\u2019m not here to talk about the news,\u201d Rubio added.<\/p>\n USA bounce Bosnia to continue run | 01:01<\/p>\n According to FIFA regulations, Balogun is automatically suspended for his team\u2019s next match, and the suspension cannot be appealed, a spokesman for the governing body told journalists on Wednesday.<\/p>\n In the 64th minute of Wednesday\u2019s knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was controversially judged after a VAR review to have stamped on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic\u2019s foot.<\/p>\n USA\u2019s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match that Balogun — who scored the US opener in Wednesday\u2019s game — should \u201cnever\u201d have received a red card.<\/p>\n Pochettino said it \u201cshould be fair\u201d to appeal the decision, but said he would have to consider \u201cdifferent options\u201d if it is not.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n LIVE \u2014 VAR controversy strikes again as giant banishes World Cup hoodoo in scary statement<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n TALKING PTS \u2014 <\/i><\/b>Why shock axe could fall as Popa faces huge dilemma; mystery over PL icon deepens<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Awful, horrible decision\u2019: USA fumes as VAR \u2018disgrace\u2019 rubs out key player, mars big win<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “We look forward to him playing…” | 01:01<\/p>\n LIVERPOOL LEGEND SET FOR SHOCK RETURN<\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Nagelsmann, 38, has been under fire since Germany\u2019s last 32 exit from the World Cup after a shock loss to Paraguay.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Last renewed in January 2025, Nagelsmann\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Germany\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Monday\u2019s defeat was Germany\u2019s first knockout match since winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf announced an immediate investigation into the World Cup failure.<\/p>\n A decision on Nagelsmann is expected \u201cby the beginning of next week at the latest\u201d, AFP sports subsidiary SID reported Thursday.<\/p>\n Several German media outlets, including Sky and Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have said Klopp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Nagelsmann.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Socceroos wrap up prep for Egypt clash | 04:58<\/p>\n WORLD CUP\u2019S FEEL GOOD STORY PREPARE FOR MESSI<\/b><\/p>\n Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the \u201cmatch of our lives\u201d but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday\u2019s last 32 clash.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about,\u201d Bubista told his pre-match press conference.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n However, Bubista said his side will not be intimidated by facing the eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner and the side ranked first in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no other thought in our minds than trying to advance past this round,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Why the f***?\u2019: The alleged match-fixing, \u2018personal\u2019 score to settle in Socceroos\u2019 dark Egypt history<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffSix-nation chaos; $8 trillion sky stadium: If you thought this World Cup was crazy, see the next two<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n