There isn’t much precedent for a president personally getting involved in a World Cup red card review. But then again, there hasn’t been much precedent for a lot of things lately. According to a report from GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, the Trump White House made a direct call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking them to take another look at the red card handed to USMNT star Folarin Balogun.
The card in question came during last Wednesday’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun had already scored in first-half stoppage time, continuing his standout run in the tournament. But in the 64th minute, he went in for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. The contact looked bad. Really bad. Though it was ruled accidental — no intent, just an ugly outcome — the referee showed a straight red.
That decision set off a chain reaction that ended with the White House making calls.
Jacobs posted the scoop on X, writing that the White House directly asked Infantino to have Balogun’s red card reviewed by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. FIFA, when approached for comment, pointed to the independent nature of that committee and said its findings were based solely on the evidence. They also emphasized Article 27, which basically says outside influence — even from a sitting president — can’t sway the committee’s decision.
On Truth Social, the platform Trump owns a majority stake in, the president thanked FIFA for “reversing a great injustice.” The USMNT put out a more measured statement: “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.”
The Red Card Gets Reversed, But the Questions Linger
Balogun’s red was officially overturned on Sunday, clearing him to play in Monday’s Round of 16 matchup against Belgium in Seattle. For the USMNT, it’s a massive boost. Balogun has been the team’s most dangerous attacker this tournament, and losing him would’ve been a brutal blow against a talented Belgian side.
But the circumstances of the reversal leave a weird taste for some people. The USMNT was reportedly “engaged in the process” of pushing for the review, and the White House call added a layer of political muscle that most teams simply don’t have. FIFA insists none of that mattered. That the committee reached its conclusion independently. But the optics are uncomfortable.
To be clear, Balogun’s red card was questionable from the start. He didn’t go in with a raised stud or malicious intent. The injury to Muharemovic was nasty but it was also the kind of collision that happens when two players commit to a 50-50 ball at full speed. Plenty of neutral observers thought the card was harsh. So the reversal itself isn’t some giant scandal. It’s the how that’s weird.
What This Means for Monday Night
Regardless of how it happened, the USMNT gets its best player back for the biggest game of the tournament so far. Balogun will lead the line against Belgium at Lumen Field. The crowd will be overwhelmingly American. The stakes are simple: win or go home.
If the USMNT beats Belgium, the White House call will probably fade into a footnote. If they lose, it’ll be one more weird detail in a tournament that’s already had plenty of them. Either way, the game is Monday night and Balogun will be on the field.
FIFA says the process was clean. The White House says it helped. The USMNT says it appreciates the support. And Folarin Balogun says absolutely nothing because he’s busy preparing for a knockout World Cup game.
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