President Donald Trump (R-FL) said Monday he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review and suspend a red-card ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun [1].
This intervention marks a rare instance of a U.S. president directly attempting to influence the officiating decisions of a global sports governing body during a tournament. The outcome determines whether a key offensive player is available for the upcoming match against Belgium [2].
Trump said he reached out to Infantino after watching the play that led to the ejection. The striker had been handed a one-match suspension [1]. According to the president, the referee's call was incorrect.
"I saw the play that led to the red card and asked Gianni Infantino for a review," Trump said [3].
The president said that he did not believe the incident constituted a foul. He sought to have the ban lifted so Balogun could participate in the match against Belgium [2].
"I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said [4].
Following the review, the suspension was overturned. Trump said soccer's governing body made the right decision to suspend the ban [5].
The request occurred on July 6, 2026 [6]. While the president's involvement led to the player's reinstatement, the move has drawn scrutiny regarding the independence of FIFA's disciplinary processes during the World Cup [2].
“"I didn't think it was a foul."”
The reversal of a match official's decision following a request from a head of state raises significant questions about the autonomy of FIFA's regulatory framework. While the U.S. team gains a tactical advantage for the Belgium match, the precedent suggests that political pressure can influence the enforcement of the Laws of the Game.
