Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension during the 2026 World Cup [1].

The intervention marks a rare instance of a political figure influencing the disciplinary decisions of a global sporting body during a tournament. The move ensures the U.S. national team retains a key striker for the knockout stages.

Trump confirmed he spoke with Infantino to address the suspension Balogun received following a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina [1]. The former president said, "J'ai demandé une révision," or "I asked for a review" [1].

Reports indicate the conversation took place via telephone [4]. Following the request, FIFA decided to lift the ban, which allows Balogun to play in the round of 16 [3].

The decision has drawn scrutiny regarding the governance of international soccer. While FIFA defended the move to lift the suspension, critics have questioned the process used to overturn the disciplinary action [3, 4].

Balogun's eligibility is now secured for the upcoming match, removing a significant personnel hurdle for the U.S. squad as they advance in the competition [2, 5].

“"I asked for a review"”

The overturning of a standard disciplinary sanction following a direct request from a political figure suggests a vulnerability in FIFA's governance structures. By bypassing traditional appeal channels to reinstate a player for the round of 16, the organization risks perceptions of favoritism and political influence, potentially undermining the perceived neutrality of the 2026 World Cup officiating.