US Soccer Elimination
The US team was knocked out of the World Cup after losing to Belgium.
1Global News Podcast
US Exits World Cup Despite Trump's Intervention
The US soccer team is eliminated after a loss to Belgium, even with a star player returning from a suspended ban. The episode also covers evidence of torture in Ukraine, a survivor in Venezuela, and Iran's former leader's funeral.
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US exit World Cup despite Trump's intervention
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What to know before you press play.
Political Intervention
President Trump admitted to intervening in the team's affairs, resulting in the suspension of a star player's one-match ban for a red card.
12Ukraine Detention Centers
BBC Eye found evidence of torture and sexual violence at detention centers for Ukrainians in Russia and occupied Ukraine.
3Venezuela Earthquakes
A 12-year-old was pulled alive from the rubble following two earthquakes in Venezuela.
4Iran's Former Leader
The body of Iran's former supreme leader was paraded through the streets of Tehran, with millions turning out to pay their last respects.
56Health and Demographics
The weight-loss drug Wegovy is now available in pill form in Britain, and new data suggests China may be more over-populated than previously thought.
78Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“What other political interventions have occurred in US sports history?”
“How do detention conditions in Russia compare to other conflict zones?”
“What are the long-term health impacts of the Venezuela earthquakes?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
How did President Trump influence the US World Cup campaign?
He intervened to suspend the automatic one-match ban for a star player who had received a red card.
12What was the outcome of the match against Belgium?
The US was defeated and subsequently exited the World Cup.
1What evidence was found regarding Ukrainians in Russia?
BBC Eye found evidence of torture and sexual violence at detention centers in Russia and occupied Ukraine.
3What happened in Venezuela?
Two earthquakes struck, resulting in a 12-year-old being pulled alive from the rubble.
4Experts
Voices named in the source.
BBC Eye
Investigative Unit
3Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the Global News Podcast episode published on 2026-07-07. Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Denny Medley.
- Publisher show notes
The US are out of the World Cup after defeat by Belgium - even though one of their star players was on the pitch after his automatic one-match ban for a red card was suspended.
- Publisher show notes
President Trump admitted he'd intervened.
- Publisher show notes
Also: BBC Eye finds evidence of torture and sexual violence at detention centres for Ukrainians in Russia and occupied Ukraine.
- Publisher show notes
The story of a 12-year-old pulled alive from the rubble following two earthquakes in Venezuela.
- Publisher show notes
The body of Iran's former supreme leader is paraded through the streets of Tehran.
- Publisher show notes
Millions turn out to pay their last respects.
- Publisher show notes
The weight-loss drug, Wegovy, is now available in pill form in Britain.
- Publisher show notes
And if you thought China was over-populated - think again.
- Publisher show notes
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens.
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Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: US fan with face painted in national colours in Portland, Oregon.
- Publisher show notes
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Denny Medley.
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