President Donald Trump said he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of a red-card decision [1].
The intervention marks a rare instance of a sitting U.S. president attempting to influence a specific officiating call in an international sporting tournament. Such actions raise questions about the neutrality of the World Cup and the boundaries of diplomatic communication during athletic competitions.
Trump made the call from the White House in Washington, D.C., ahead of the round-of-16 match [1] between the United States and Belgium [1]. The president said the red card in question was not a foul but rather a collision between two players [1], [2].
"I called FIFA President Infantino," Trump said [1]. He said the incident was not a foul, saying that two players had simply collided [1].
Despite the request for a reconsideration, Trump said he did not give any direct orders to the FIFA president [1]. The timing of the call coincided with the lead-up to the critical knockout stage match where the U.S. team faces Belgium [1].
Belgium has responded to the situation by stating it will fight to the end [1]. The Belgian side has not elaborated on whether the presidential outreach affects their tactical preparation for the match.
FIFA has not issued a formal statement regarding the contents of the call or whether the red-card decision will be reviewed. Typically, refereeing decisions during World Cup matches are final unless a technical error is identified through the official VAR process.
“"I called FIFA President Infantino,"”
This incident highlights a collision between national political leadership and the autonomous governance of international sports. While FIFA maintains a strict policy of independence from government interference, a direct appeal from a head of state puts the organization in a precarious position regarding its perceived impartiality before a high-stakes match.
