U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to American striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Trump said he believed the referee’s decision was unfair and described the call as a “horrible” decision, but insisted that he only requested a review and did not attempt to impose a specific outcome on FIFA.
The controversy began after Balogun was sent off during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. The suspension that followed threatened to rule the striker out of the knockout-stage match against Belgium, prompting discussions about the disciplinary process and the independence of football authorities.
After FIFA reviewed the case, Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension was lifted, allowing him to remain available for the United States team. FIFA explained that its disciplinary bodies acted within the framework of its regulations, while emphasizing that judicial bodies operate independently.
Trump defended his intervention, saying that the decision had affected one of the tournament’s key players and arguing that Balogun’s challenge did not deserve a red card. He also criticized Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, calling the decision questionable.
The decision sparked strong reactions across the football world. UEFA and Belgian football officials questioned the reversal of the suspension, warning that changes to disciplinary decisions during a major tournament could raise concerns about the consistency and credibility of competition rules.
The case has renewed debate over the relationship between politics and international sport, with several football figures insisting that disciplinary decisions must remain based on sporting regulations and independent procedures.
