One would have to believe in extraordinary providential intervention to conclude that the Universe orchestrated a World Cup match, a controversial red card for Folarin Balogun, and the resulting circumstances that compelled Donald Trump to appeal to FIFA so that a player whose eligibility depends on birthright citizenship could represent the United States in a pivotal match.
If this was merely coincidence, it was an astonishing one. If it was something more, it was a remarkably effective way of exposing the tension between Trump's long-standing criticism of birthright citizenship and his willingness to seek an exception when America's World Cup hopes depended on a birthright citizen.
