Giuliani: FIFA review won't affect USMNT legacy

Giuliani: FIFA review won't affect USMNT legacy: Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House task force on the 2026 World Cup, told ESPN on Monday that he has no concerns about FIFA reducing U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension harming the U.S. team’s tournament legacy or credibility. Giuliani said the decision corrected an “injustice,” arguing that U.S. claims about the video-replay protocol and the referee’s track record—Brazilian Raphael Claus—showed procedural problems. Balogun scored in the 45th minute of the U.S. 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but was sent off in the 64th minute. FIFA suspended the red card on Sunday, enabling him to face Belgium in the Round of 16, and repeated its stance on Monday that the Belgium federation’s request was inadmissible for appeal purposes. Giuliani described discussions with Howard Lutnick and others immediately after the match, and said the aim was fairness.