# ‘They made him a defensive player’ – Trump questions Kane role in semi

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/they-made-him-a-defensive-player-trump-questions-kane-role-in-semi/
- Published: 2026-07-18T02:12:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-18T04:13:57+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cjej3y1jgdpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Americas, Government, Politics, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Trump criticised Tuchel for using Kane defensively in the semi-final loss
- England lost 2-1 to Argentina after Messi-inspired comeback
- Trump also touted his role in reversing Balogun's red-card suspension

## Summary

US President Donald Trump has waded into criticism of England manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, questioning why Harry Kane was shifted into a defensive role during the closing stages. England had led through an Anthony Gordon goal before Tuchel switched to a back five and made defensive substitutions, only for Lionel Messi to inspire a late Argentina comeback that ended England's run and sent Argentina into Sunday's final against Spain.

Trump, speaking at a Trump Tower reception, said he had "played golf" with Kane and called moving him to defence "a little unusual" given England were leading, though he added he did not know much about coaching. Tuchel dismissed the comments when they were put to him afterwards. Trump also revisited his call to Fifa president Gianni Infantino urging a review of USA striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, which Fifa suspended for 12 months, and praised the tournament as one of the most successful sporting events ever staged, prompting fresh scrutiny over potential political influence on Fifa's disciplinary decisions.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.