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Canadian TV Pundits Slam Christian Pulisic & US World Cup ‘Hype’

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All three of the host nations at the 2026 World Cup have now been knocked out at the Round of 16. First, Canada fell to 3-0 to Morocco, before Mexico lost 3-2 to England in an instant classic, while the United States were then thumped by Belgium 4-1.

That last game was a controversial affair as US forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to feature in the match, despite having been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Last 32. Seemingly upon Donald Trump’s request, the star striker saw his suspension suspended for a year by FIFA, as he immediately returned to action.

However, Balogun struggled to get involved against Belgium as the European side won the game easily. Charles De Ketelaere grabbed a brace either side of Malik Tillman’s equaliser, before goals from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku made it 4-1.


Folarin Balogun during USA vs Belgium


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USMNT Slammed After World Cup Exit vs Belgium

Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie of the U.S. look dejected after the match as the United States are eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie via REUTERS/Albert Gea

During the tournament, the co-hosts had managed to build up great hype with many USMNT fans believing they could go far into the competition, and possibly even win it. That dream came to a jarring end against Belgium, and pundits on Canadian broadcaster The Sports Network (TSN) were rather damning with their assessment of the US.

Former Republic of Ireland footballer Kevin Kilbane did not hold back when asked why the team and their support had such high hopes when there was little to suggest they could beat a top European side. He said:

“Well, that’s the hype train. That’s the messages they’ve been getting, external noise coming in. They were actually believing that they were going to go on and win the World Cup! That was what they were thinking, genuinely!

“We knew that a Last 16 [finish] at best was what the US were going to do in this World Cup. They believed [they could reach the] quarters, semi-finals, maybe they could go all the way, but this is the level where they are.

“They were embarrassed on and off the pitch because Belgium showed how flawed they are as a side.”

Former Scottish defender Steven Caldwell then singled out Tyler Adams for criticism, calling out his ‘rash’ behaviour on the pitch, and claiming he didn’t show enough leadership on the pitch. The full clip, shown below, has gone viral, sparking thousands of comments on social media:

Christian Pulisic Targeted After ‘Terrible’ Display vs Belgium

Christian Pulisic of the U.S. looks dejected as he applauds fans after the match following their elimination from the World Cup Reuters/Blake Dahlin

The host then came on to Christian Pulisic, who struggled with injury throughout the tournament, missing the 2-0 win over Australia and lasting just 59 minutes before coming off against Belgium. Despite the fitness concerns, Caldwell was less than impressed with the US star, explaining:

“No, he didn’t impact the game at all. He was absolutely terrible in the match. He had 11 giveaways in the first half, 14 in total, before he pulled the parachute and wanted to be off this field.

“I don’t know how bad the injury is, I don’t want to speculate on that, but he did not want to be out there in every sense of the word. It’s disappointing; he’s supposed to be the star of this team, the one who steps up in moments like this and delivers, and he did anything but that. Really, though, this whole tournament, he was nowhere near the level that they needed. Again, it’s that hype train…”

Speaking to the press after the game, Pulisic explained why he had to come off, saying: “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play. I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just unfortunate way to finish.”

He added: “I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well.”

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Arsenal Table ‘Stratospheric’ Bid to Hijack Liverpool Move for Gilberto Mora

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Arsenal have tabled a bid to hijack Liverpool’s move to sign Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora this summer, according to Azteca Puebla.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad in the current window after winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last time out, while they also reached the Champions League final but suffered defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout.

Mikel Arteta has made a forward and a midfielder a priority ahead of the new season, and it has now emerged that they have been mightily impressed by the teenage sensation’s form during the World Cup.

Arsenal Table Bid for Gilberto Mora

Gilberto Mora Mexico World Cup 2026 REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Mora, who has been described as the next Pedri and ‘absolutely fearless’, has shone during the summer tournament, starting regularly in central midfielder under Javier Aguirre, despite being just 17 years old.

It’s now expected that he will be on the move during the window following Mexico’s elimination from the tournament, with his agent Rafaela Pimenta admitting that she expects a deal to happen.

Liverpool made the first move by tabling a $20m (£14.9m) offer for the teenager, but it has now emerged that Arsenal have gazumped them and made a $25m (£18.6m) bid to take him to north London instead.

The Gunners have made it clear that their top target for the midfield is Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, but a deal for him looks difficult due to the Magpies’ demands.

However, it’s unclear if Mora is seen as an alternative or if the deal is one they want to do alongside the Brazilian. Their offer has been described as ‘stratospheric’, but no final decision on his next destination has been made yet.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

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Gilberto Mora (Mexico) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far, with the strongest links coming to Guimaraes, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola, although nothing is believed to be advanced at this stage.

The closest they have come to getting a deal done was with Jeremy Monga, before they were hijacked by Man City after opting against raising their offer. Now, Mora could be the perfect antidote to that flop, considering his first-team experience level.

Despite being 17, it’s clear that Mora is capable of making the step up to the top level and making an immediate imapct, and with Christian Norgaard expected to depart, replacing him with a younger player could be the perfect remedy.


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Tottenham Prepare £85m Bid For Striker Perfect For De Zerbi

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Tottenham are preparing to make a move to improve their forward line this summer, having already reinforced their goalkeeping department, defence and midfield.

Spurs have been by far the busiest side in the summer transfer window so far, completing six new signings for head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have all arrived at the club, with the Lilywhites splashing out more than £237million in the process.

But despite all those new signings there has so far been an absence of new forward players coming into the club.

Forward players linked with a move to Spurs

Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan

GIVEMESPORT understands that at the start of the window Spurs were looking at the potential of adding a new No.9 to their ranks, while a left forward was also on the cards.

Tottenham have been in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinho, while Rafael Leao has reportedly been offered to the club, with the Portuguese set to leave AC Milan this summer.

One player Spurs have started to be heavily linked with a move to sign is Eli Kroupi Junior from Bournemouth.

The 20-year-old became the new Premier League record holder for the most goals scored in a season by a teenager last year, notching 13 in his first campaign in the top flight. And that has led to plenty of speculation around his future, with Spurs not the only club interested in signing him this summer.

A bid in the region of £75million was reported, with Bournemouth not keen on selling the player, but now it is being reported that Spurs are readying a bid of around £85million to try and tempt the Cherries into sanctioning a deal.

The philosophy from Tottenham this summer has been to sign readymade Premier League players, with experience in England’s top flight, after a number of transfer windows where the emphasis has seemed to be on bring in young talent.

Kroupi would actually tick both boxes, in terms of being young and a player for the future, but a player for the hear and now too given his impressive first season in the Premier League.

World Cup History Quiz

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Talksport reporter Alex Crooks said: “Tottenham are preparing a potential £85million bid for Junior Kroupi to try and test Bournemouth’s resolve that he is not for sale this summer.

“We know Bournemouth are in contract negotiations with [Alex] Scott having received an enquiry from Arsenal, but Tottenham and Kroupi seems to be bubbling under.”

Kroupi has been described as being capable of playing in an ‘elite system’ and signing him would take Spurs’ spending over the £300million and it is clear the forward line is the last piece of the jigsaw for De Zerbi. He would certainly fit in more with the new strategy at Spurs over the likes of Rafael Leao and the fact he can play off the wide left or through the middle is a plus point. Whether he is yet worth £85million remains to be seen, but Tottenham have identified targets quickly and paid what they have been asked already this summer so why stop now?

Kroupi Junior could be the perfect De Zerbi signing

eli kroupi

He has also been coached to do what De Zerbi might ask of him in his Tottenham team.

Speaking last season, then Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said: “Junior has been a big challenge for me this season, one of the biggest challenges because we noticed straightaway that he has special things.

“His finishing is top for me. But we had to work a lot with him and, especially, he has had to do a lot of work that he wasn’t used to win his minutes.

“I have tried to make him focus on other parts and he has improved a lot. In the past month, he has allowed us to put out a very offensive line-up because he is giving us the work rate so we can keep it all together and not suffer defensively too much.”

De Zerbi expects everyone in his team to work hard, press high and demand the ball, something Kroupi clearly has now after working under Iraola.


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USA Fans Beg Donald Trump to Get Involved After Belgium Defeat

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After several days of noise surrounding the availability of Folarin Balogun, and Donald Trump’s involvement, the United States of America crashed out of the 2026 World Cup.

A defeat against Belgium on home soil ensured none of the three host nations (USA, Canada and Mexico) progressed beyond the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere scored a first-half brace before Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku took advantage of mistakes to seal a 4-1 win.

Malik Tillman scored a free-kick, which turned out to be irrelevant, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side failed to put up much of a fight against the Belgians. Despite Balogun’s one-game ban being suspended, allowing him to play, the striker didn’t really get a sniff.

USA Fans Make World Cup Demand to Donald Trump

Donald Trump reveals the USA name at the World Cup 2026 draw REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Donald Trump, the American President, to those unaware, has been suspiciously absent from every single World Cup fixture to date. Before the competition started, the 80-year-old was very involved and caused a lot of complications as the leader of a host nation.

However, concerns over chants directed at the President have kept him away from matches, even those involving the USMNT. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t got involved, however.


Christian Pulisic of the U.S. walks out before the start of the match vs Belgium


Canadian TV Pundits Go Viral as They Slam Christian Pulisic & US World Cup ‘Hype Train’

They did not hold back at all.

Trump has admitted he gave Gianni Infantino and FIFA a nudge in the right direction when it came to Balogun’s harsh suspension. Now, he’s being urged to do the same and use his relationship with Infantino to the USA’s benefit again.

Fans have quickly jumped on social media to plead with the country’s leader to get involved again. One suggested they could be given a second chance at the World Cup, saying: “The US can still win the World Cup if Donald Trump has the courage.”

“Do you think Trump will make another phone call to ask them to overturn Belgium’s win? I wouldn’t put it past him,” another supporter added.

It was suggested that a phone call between Trump and Infantino was the solution as others added: “Trump’s on the phone now asking FIFA to reverse the score” and: “The officials were totally corrupt. Trump needs to call Gianni.”

The general sentiment was summed up perfectly by one fan, who said: “Overturn the result, please Donald Trump.”

Ultimately, there’s nothing the President can do about the result on the pitch. After beating Paraguay and Australia in the group stage, before dispatching Bosnia in the knockouts, the USMNT cam unstuck against stronger opposition (Turkey and Belgium).

Trump Made ‘Rigged’ Claim Before Belgium Loss

Donald Trump
REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

Trump has so far, uncharacteristically, been silent since the USA’s exit from the competition. However, he did make a comment before the match which now looks open to ridicule.

Speaking at the White House, he addressed several issues, including the Balogun saga. But one comment which stuck out to many was when he said Americans could claim the game vs Belgium was ‘rigged’ if they lost.

He said: “If they beat us, then they can be really proud. The other way, if they beat us, I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.”

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