How the White House Overturned a World Cup Red Card

WSJ What’s News

The Wall Street Journal

Daily News, News

4.1 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 6 July 2026

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

A.M. Edition for July 6. European leaders are preparing for the latest test in a fractured relationship with the Trump administration. Ahead of this week’s NATO summit, WSJ senior reporter Drew Hinshaw has the inside scoop on months of secret meetings between allies looking to decouple from the U.S. Plus, WSJ autos reporter Stephen Wilmot explains how strong battery performance could change American views on electric vehicles. And the World Cup gets political - as President Trump intervenes. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.

Transcript

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0:00.0	European leaders debate a divorce or carrying on a loveless marriage with the United States.
0:08.5	Plus, how strong battery performance could change American views on electric vehicles.
0:13.7	After five years on the road, the average EV will still be able to drive up to 95% of its original range.
0:19.9	And the World Cup gets political as President Trump intervenes.
0:24.6	It's Monday, July 6th. I'm Daniel Bach for the Wall Street Journal, filling in for Luke Vargas.
0:29.2	And here is the AM edition of What's News, the top headlines, and business stories moving your world today.
0:39.4	Drama, intrigue, and controversy. The World Cup served up all the storylines over the weekend.
0:45.4	England beat co-hosts Mexico to finally win in Mexico City. Five-time champion Brazil went out,
0:51.6	while France overcame the tactics of Paraguay that for many showed the
0:55.4	dark side of the beautiful game. But despite all that, it's President Trump who's dominating
1:00.6	the headlines. That's after FIFA decided to overturn a red card given to top-scoring American
1:05.9	player, Fuller and Balligan, handed out in the last match. That decision came after a phone call from Trump to
1:12.1	FIFA's president. Baligan should be in the lineup tonight when the U.S. men's team faces Belgium and
1:17.5	Seattle for a chance to reach the quarterfinals. We all, you know, agree that was an unfair red car.
1:24.3	Speaking ahead of the match, courtesy of FIFA, U.S. coach Mauritio Pocetino refused to say whether
1:29.5	it was appropriate for President Trump to get involved.
1:32.6	It's not surprised me. I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football soccer is
1:39.8	more than a religion, more than a religion, you know.
1:45.2	People familiar with the matter said FIFA President Gianni Infantino agreed to look into it after Trump called, but didn't commit to overturning the red card.
1:54.4	Yesterday, it was rescinded under a provision that allows FIFA's disciplinary committee to exercise its discretion when reviewing sanctions.
2:01.6	From the Belgian perspective, their coach compared yesterday to April Fool's Day,
2:06.1	and nodded to the fact it appears to be the first time since 1962
	...

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