Donald Trump has waded into World Cup commentary with an eight-word verdict on Harry Kane. The US president reacted to England's heroic performance in Mexico City, where they defied the odds to beat the co-hosts 3-2 and advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Trump's praise for Kane
The Bayern Munich striker scored one of the three goals from the penalty spot, with Jude Bellingham netting the other two. Summing up his thoughts on Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!'
The Three Lions, bidding to win the tournament for the first time since 1966, looked in control following Bellingham's two first-half goals. The first came from Bukayo Saka's cross and the second from Kane's pass across the goal. However, Mexico's Julian Quinones scored just before half-time, and ten minutes after the restart, England were reduced to ten men. Despite waves of Mexican attacks, England held on to secure their quarter-final place.
Trump's lobbying on Balogun ban
Trump's post on Kane is one of the rare occasions he has commented on the World Cup, which the US is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada. In another instance, Trump sparked controversy over efforts to lift a ban on US striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, was dismissed during the second half of the US's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Sunday, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced it would suspend Balogun's one-match ban with a probationary period of one year.
While US coach Mauricio Pochettino will benefit from the U-turn, Belgium's head coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to 'April Fool's Day' and insisted his federation was 'defending football' and may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
White House involvement
According to talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs, it was communicated directly to FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Trump felt the punishment was unjust, while other White House figures also lobbied FIFA. A US official confirmed: 'The President and Infantino did speak, and the President wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension.' The official added that the appeal process is run by an independent board and that the US government provided additional evidence used in the appeal.
After Balogun was allowed to play the round-of-16 match, Trump posted on Truth Social: 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.'
