Trump confirms asking FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension
President Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to secure a review of striker Folarin Balogun's red card, ensuring his eligibility for the match against Belgium.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he personally intervened with FIFA to secure a review of the red card issued to U.S. Striker Folarin Balogun, an action that preceded the governing body's decision to lift the player's automatic one-match suspension. The move ensures Balogun's eligibility for the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Seattle.
Speaking at a White House event on Monday, Trump stated he spoke directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino because he believed the red card was a horrible
call and that Balogun did not deserve to be suspended. He described the incident as two athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled
, arguing that the play was not a foul or an infraction.
Media additions
Trump acknowledged that he was not initially aware of the specific consequences of a red card but decided to step in upon learning it would lead to a one-game ban. He argued that enforcing the suspension would have left a big stain
on the tournament. While he took credit for the review, Trump maintained he did not demand a specific outcome, stating, I can't tell them what to do
.
Internal White House Strategy
Reporting from the Associated Press indicates that the push for a review began immediately following the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California. Discussions dominated the flight back to Washington, involving Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House FIFA Task Force leader Andrew Giuliani.
According to a senior U.S. Official, the administration's consensus was that the use of slow-motion video review to issue the card was improper. Trump officials subsequently consulted lawyers and spoke with U.S. Soccer before the president's outreach to Infantino. The Guardian reported that Trump made three calls to FIFA starting on Wednesday to secure the reversal.
FIFA's Response and Legal Basis
FIFA announced on Sunday, July 5, that Balogun's automatic suspension was suspended for a 12-month probationary period. The governing body cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows the judicial committee to fully or partially suspend disciplinary measures.
Gianni Infantino defended the independence of FIFA's judicial bodies in a statement, asserting they operate autonomously. While Infantino confirmed he received a call from Trump, he stated he explained to the president that there was an ongoing legal process
and that the case would be decided by the competent bodies.
Trump, however, questioned the integrity of the Brazilian referee, Raphael Claus, calling him very suspect
and suggesting reporters examine his record. In response, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) defended Claus as an exemplary professional
with no record that discredits him.
International Outrage and Reaction
The decision has triggered widespread condemnation from European football entities and the Belgian national team. UEFA described the move as unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable
, claiming FIFA crossed a red line
and undermined the integrity of the competition.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed astonishment, with manager Rudi Garcia comparing the situation to an April Fools’ Day joke
. The RBFA attempted to challenge Balogun's eligibility, but FIFA's appeals committee rejected the request, ruling that Belgium was not a party to the proceedings
and had no standing to appeal.
Other figures weighed in on the controversy:
- Thomas Tuchel: The England manager questioned where the line is drawn, asking if teams should now appeal every yellow card.
- Sepp Blatter: The former FIFA president stated on X that
red cards are not overturned by political phone calls
. - German Football Association (DFB): Questioned if the outcome resulted from political interference.
- Lisa Klaveness: President of the Norwegian Football Association, who cited concerns over fair play.
Domestically, the move was praised by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the red card ridiculous
, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested it would be an international incident
if Belgium won a match without the U.S. Leading scorer on the pitch.
Analysis of the Suspension Reversal
| Perspective | Claim/Viewpoint |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump | The play was a collision, not a foul; the slow-mo review was misleading. |
| Gianni Infantino | Judicial bodies are independent; the call was part of regular head-of-state discourse. |
| UEFA / RBFA | The decision is a violation of the rules and an example of political interference. |
| Mauricio Pochettino | The team was already punished enough by losing Balogun for part of the previous game. |
The availability of the 25-year-old Balogun is a significant boost for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, as the striker has scored 3 goals so far in the tournament. For FIFA, the move is historically rare; according to the BBC, only one other player—Brazil's Garrincha in 1962—escaped a suspension after a red card in World Cup history, a case also clouded by allegations of political interference.
