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Iran Beats Mali in Last World Cup Warm-up Before Heading to Tijuana

Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi, right, poses for a photo with a fan after a friendly soccer match between Iran and Mali, in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Thursday, June 4, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi, right, poses for a photo with a fan after a friendly soccer match between Iran and Mali, in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Thursday, June 4, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
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Iran Beats Mali in Last World Cup Warm-up Before Heading to Tijuana

Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi, right, poses for a photo with a fan after a friendly soccer match between Iran and Mali, in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Thursday, June 4, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi, right, poses for a photo with a fan after a friendly soccer match between Iran and Mali, in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Thursday, June 4, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Iran will head off to their World Cup base this weekend with a spring in their step after beating Mali 2-0 in a friendly in Türkiye on Thursday, even if some uncertainty still clouds their participation in the tournament.

Goals from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right back Ramin Rezaeian either side of halftime gave Team Melli a record of three wins and a single loss in their four friendlies this year in the Turkish resort city of Antalya, Reuters reported.

The friendlies are the only competitive football the Iran-based players have played since the ⁠domestic league was ⁠suspended in the wake of US and Israel air strikes on Iran in late February that triggered a regional war.

The squad have received visas for Mexico, officials confirmed this week, and will leave Türkiye on Saturday for their tournament base in the border city of Tijuana.

Mexico's President ⁠Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host the squad after being told that the US authorities did not want Iran staying in their original base in Arizona throughout the June 11 to July 19 tournament.

The squad have not yet received the visas they will need to get into the US to play their group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle, however.

Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told Iranian media this week that the US ⁠visas were ⁠the main concern for the federation as Iran's tournament opener against New Zealand on June 15 approaches.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday there was "no problem" with the Iran squad entering the country, but Washington would not let officials or staff with ties to the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accompany them.

Both the US and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a "terrorist entity."

Taj was refused entry into Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April because of his links to the elite military force.

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‘Disappointed’ Pochettino Says Balogun Row No Excuse for US World Cup Exit

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
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‘Disappointed’ Pochettino Says Balogun Row No Excuse for US World Cup Exit

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)

US coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was disappointed and frustrated by the backlash over Folarin Balogun's ban, but insisted it was no excuse for his side's World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium on Monday.

Striker Balogun was cleared by FIFA to play in the co-hosts' pivotal round-of-16 clash despite having earned a red card in the previous game, following a call by US President Donald Trump to football's global governing body.

FIFA said the decision was not influenced by Trump, but the ensuing row dominated the final days of the US World Cup campaign, with Pochettino obliged to defend Balogun's eligibility for a game that ended with a crushing 4-1 loss in Seattle.

"I am so frustrated and so disappointed with the people who are supposed to understand this situation," said Pochettino, accusing critics of "mixing" politics with FIFA's decision.

"I think it didn't affect our performance... it's not an excuse, and we cannot put excuses, it wasn't our day.

"But in a personal way... (what) is the point? To insult or to receive a lot of bad message or threats, if my position is 'I am the head coach, it's a rule... that the player can be available'?"

"My position was to train the team, and if you have available Balogun, because the disciplinary (committee) of FIFA allowed to for you to have the player, it's not a problem," said Pochettino.

"In a personal way I feel so disappointed with too many people."

Balogun, the top US scorer of the tournament with three goals, started the game against Belgium but was not able to make a significant mark.

The US looked a shadow of the team that had made a bright start to the tournament on home soil, inflaming the hopes of the American public for a deep run into the World Cup.

"It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, in a collective and individual way," said Pochettino.

"And we need to accept that sometimes this type of thing happens, but in a tournament like a World Cup, when that happens, you have not another chance."

Pochettino was non-committal on whether he would continue in the US national team role, saying he would first need to rest and then have conversations with federation officials.

He has been offered an extended contract with the US, but the former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain head coach has also been linked with a possible return to European club football.

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After His Suspension Was Lifted in Scrutinized Move, Balogun Has Little Impact in US World Cup Loss

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
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After His Suspension Was Lifted in Scrutinized Move, Balogun Has Little Impact in US World Cup Loss

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)

Folarin Balogun's presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of football, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans' 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday.

The 25-year-old striker, who had three goals in this World Cup, was shown a red card during the US victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday's match after US President Donald Trump intervened on Balogun's behalf.

FIFA's decision prompted football leaders to question the integrity of the World Cup, with European soccer body UEFA saying FIFA “crossed a red line” and Belgium's soccer federation contesting Balogun's eligibility.

Balogun did not score on Monday. He helped set up Malik Tillman's goal in the 31st minute when he was fouled by Belgium defender Brandon Mechele roughly 25 yards outside the Red Devils’ goal.

Tillman scored on the ensuing free kick. Just before the goal, Balogun waved his arms and pumped up the American fans.

The US tried to set up Balogun multiple times. He made use of his speed on several runs but could not get past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. His best chance came in the 82nd minute, when Courtois got in front of a left-footed attempt. Balogun was replaced by Haji Wright in the 92nd minute.

To a suggestion that Balogun wasn’t a major presence on the field, US midfielder Tyler Adams responded: “Was anyone a major presence on the field today?”

“We were happy that we had the opportunity for him to play,” Adams said. “He tried today to be a presence and a nuisance, and at times he was — getting the ball in behind and doing what he does. Just didn’t have too many opportunities.”

Last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a red card by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s ankle, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

After Trump spoke by phone to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the discipline for a year on Sunday.

Infantino said he did not play a role in the decision by the disciplinary committee, which also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be paid by the US Soccer Federation.

The FIFA president was in attendance for the match, watching from a suite with Pascale Van Damme, chair of the Belgian Football Association, and Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the USSF. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was seated nearby.

Belgium fans chanted “FIFA Mafia!” during their pregame march to Lumen Field.

Balogun's three goals matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second most by an American in a World Cup. Bert Patenaude holds the US record with four in the initial tournament in 1930.

Balogun, who was playing in his first World Cup for the Americans, became the first US player to score two goals in a match in the tournament since 1930. But he failed to lead the US to what would have been its first consecutive knockout-stage wins. The best performance by the Americans since 1930 remains their run to the quarterfinals in 2002.

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Balogun Controversy Had Little Impact on Belgium Team, Says Coach

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is consoled by Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is consoled by Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Balogun Controversy Had Little Impact on Belgium Team, Says Coach

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is consoled by Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States is consoled by Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)

Belgium's commanding 4-1 victory over the United States ‌in Monday's World Cup last-16 clash was barely affected by the swirling controversy around FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension, according to coach Rudi Garcia.

The US attacker's inclusion in the lineup had cast a shadow over the match after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban for a one-year probationary period, despite his red card against Bosnia in the round of 32.

Yet Garcia said the players were neither motivated nor distracted by the affair.

“No, it wasn't at all necessary,” said Garcia when asked at the post-match press conference whether he had used the controversy to motivate his players against the co-hosts.

“What really mattered to us was our game plan. We wanted to dominate the ‌game, avoid their ‌pressing and play higher up. We played with mastery, with ‌willingness ⁠and dedication. It ⁠was a great night for us and a great qualification for the quarter-finals.”

Balogun's red card carried an automatic one-match ban, initially ruling him out of Monday's tie with Belgium.

FIFA, however, suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period without rescinding the card itself. US President Donald Trump said he had asked for the decision to be reviewed.

Garcia said Belgium’s squad had been kept informed of the Balogun affair, which prompted a furious ⁠reaction from the Belgian federation and created a wider international ‌controversy.

“We told them about what was happening. The ‌group is very mature. We have leaders to help us go through that,” Garcia added.

“I told ‌them that what mattered the most was us. Our team trying to set ‌the game principles, whether it's attack or defense. We were also underlining the strength and weaknesses of the opponent, but we're not analyzing anything more. We're not adapting to the opponent. That's not my style as a coach.”

Garcia, who had previously criticized FIFA’s decision, comparing it ‌to April Fool’s Day, said Balogun had spoken to him after the game.

“He came to talk to me. I really ⁠liked that. It's not ⁠his fault. He's not the one to blame. And that's what I told him. I really appreciate that he came to see me,” Garcia said.

The US struggled in the match and Garcia suggested some of this had to do with scars Belgium inflicted on them when they beat the Americans 5-2 in Atlanta in a March friendly.

“At some points of the game you got the feeling that was in their heads,” he said.

Belgium are up against Spain next in Los Angeles on Friday but without midfielder Amadou Onana, who left the pitch in the first half with a knee injury.

He later re-emerged on crutches and Garcia said it looked a serious setback which might end his participation in the tournament.

“We feel bad for him, but now that we are in the quarter-finals, we want to go to the semis,” Garcia added.