Rapinoe Criticizes Trump’s Impact on U.S. Men’s Soccer Team Performance

Megan Rapinoe attributed the U.S. men’s soccer team’s loss in the World Cup to President Donald Trump’s involvement, saying it disrupted the team’s underdog vibe. Rapinoe responded to questions from “The Daily Show” host Desi Lydic about a controversial red card issued to U.S. player Folarin Balogun during their Round of 32 match. The red card decision was later suspended after Trump reportedly pushed for a review through FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“How do you think that affected the men’s team?” Lydic asked Rapinoe. “Certainly not well,” Rapinoe replied. “It didn’t give them the boost they were hoping for or that Trump was hoping it would. It seemed to throw them off their game.”

Balogun himself commented on the issue, acknowledging that the red card reversal stirred a lot of “outside noise” affecting the team’s focus. Former U.S. national team player Rapinoe felt that Trump’s involvement was a distraction. Speaking on her podcast “A Touch More: The Beautiful Game,” she mentioned the complications of dealing with public discourse involving Trump.

Rapinoe expressed that the distraction was a burden for the men’s team, which, unlike the women’s team, lacked a core of seasoned players. She mentioned that men’s soccer generally sees fewer players using their platforms to address broader issues.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle praised Trump’s role in orchestrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting its economic benefits and successful execution. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney critiqued the U.S. team for being “too naive” and discussed Christian Pulisic’s struggles.

Following the red card controversy, the U.S. men’s team lost to Belgium in the Round of 16 match. Folarin Balogun shared with CBS the intensity and nerves within the team caused by the unique situation, mentioning the difficulty in ignoring external disturbance leading up to the game.