President Donald Trump confirmed Monday he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. By Sunday, the suspension was gone.
Balogun, the U.S. men’s national team striker, was sent off after a VAR review of a challenge in the round of 32. The red card meant an automatic ban for Tuesday’s World Cup last-16 match against Belgium. Now he’s eligible to play.
Trump told reporters at the Oval Office he spoke with Infantino at an event Monday and argued the call was wrong.
“I saw the play and I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete, and I understand sports really well, really well and that wasn’t a foul, that wasn’t even an infraction, that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other,” Trump said. “These were two great athletes that got tangled up and this referee, who is a little bit suspect, if you check his past. I don’t want to say that, because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect.”
He called Balogun “our best player, or one of our best players” and said the referee “gave him a red card. It’s very unfair, you can’t do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.”
Trump added that Infantino is “highly respected” and his “level of respect has gone up tenfold.”
FIFA’s rules say no political interference. Belgium isn’t happy.
FIFA’s own statutes explicitly forbid political meddling in matters involving its national associations. The governing body hasn’t explained how it arrived at the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban. But the timeline — Trump’s call, then the reversal — has raised eyebrows.
Belgium filed an appeal against FIFA’s move. UEFA also issued a statement saying the decision “crossed a line.” Neither organization named Trump directly, but the context is hard to ignore.
Balogun’s challenge happened in the 67th minute of a physical match. Replays showed him and a Bosnia defender colliding at full speed. The on-field referee initially waved play on, but VAR recommended a review, and the red card followed. Critics called it harsh. Supporters of the call said Balogun’s studs were up.
Trump’s intervention — if that’s what this was — puts FIFA in an awkward spot. The organization has spent years trying to clean up its image after corruption scandals. Now it’s facing questions about whether a sitting president can get a World Cup ban overturned with a phone call.
For the USMNT, the practical effect is clear: Balogun will be on the field against Belgium. The team hasn’t commented on the political angle, but players are likely relieved. Balogun leads the U.S. in goals this tournament and his hold-up play is central to the attack.
Belgium’s appeal is pending. The match kicks off Tuesday night.
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