United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun‘s one-match suspension at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Balogun had been set to miss the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.
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However, FIFA stunned the football world by suspending the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, making the USA striker eligible for the knockout tie in Seattle.
The decision has drawn widespread criticism from UEFA, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Balogun, who has scored three goals at this summer’s tournament, is now available for selection against Belgium after FIFA overturned the immediate suspension.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump confirmed he had spoken with FIFA president Gianni Infantino because he believed Balogun’s dismissal was unjust.
“I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said.
The US President insisted he merely requested that FIFA review the incident and denied pressuring the governing body to overturn the sanction.
“I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision,” Trump said.
