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Megan Rapinoe Attributes US Soccer’s World Cup Exit to Distractions Involving President Trump

Former US women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe suggests that the controversy surrounding President Trump's involvement in a red card review distracted the men's team during the World Cup.

Jul 10, 2026, 9:05 AM Daily Caller

Megan Rapinoeperson World Cup Exitperson Megan Rapinoe Pointing Blametopic USgeography US Soccertopic Folarin Balogunperson Beautiful Gameperson Donald Trumpperson Touch Moreperson Cristiano Ronaldoperson World Cupevent Distractions Involving President Trumptopic

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Heading into the US men's soccer match against Belgium, a major global headline focused on President Donald Trump's intervention regarding the red card issued to US forward Folarin Balogun. Trump contacted FIFA for a review, which led to the organization allowing Balogun to compete under the same rule that permitted Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo to play in similar circumstances.

Former US women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe, speaking on her podcast "A Touch More: The Beautiful Game," argued that the distraction caused by the Trump controversy negatively affected the men's team’s performance. Rapinoe said, "I think the distraction got to the team for sure in some type of way. Whether it was, you know, this red card situation, whether it was being in a public discourse with this president, all of the, you know, shenanigans and chaos that comes with the feelings on both sides of that. Whether you agree with it or not it’s, it’s just like it’s a lot to contend with."

The red card call on Balogun was widely viewed as incorrect, and Trump's involvement in seeking a review was a significant talking point during the World Cup. Rapinoe’s comments highlight the intersection of sports and politics during the tournament.

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Daily Caller: Megan Rapinoe Pointing Blame At President Trump For US Soccer’s World Cup Exit

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Megan Rapinoe Pointing Blame At President Trump For US Soccer’s World Cup Exit

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Daily Caller Captured Jul 10, 2026, 9:04 AM Â· Original story

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Bold News detected high framing pressure from opinion framing and loaded language around opinion marker, chaos, Right-weighted source mix, which could steer readers toward a more emotional reading of the story.

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Article weight system 98/100

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