Trump Call Prompts FIFA to Suspend a Team USA Player's Red-Card Ban

After U.S. men's national team striker Folarin Balogun received a red card in a July 1, 2026 World Cup round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina — triggering an automatic one-match suspension — President Trump telephoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the card be reviewed. On July 5, FIFA suspended enforcement of the ban under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, clearing Balogun to play in the July 6 round-of-16 match against Belgium. Trump confirmed the call, said 'that wasn't a foul,' and thanked FIFA on social media; Infantino acknowledged the conversation but said independent bodies handle such reviews.

According to Al Jazeera, it was the first time since 1962 that a World Cup red card did not result in a suspension, and the reversal followed direct intervention by the head of state of a tournament co-host. UEFA said the decision 'crossed a red line,' and the Belgian football association, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and several national-team coaches said political intervention in officiating undermined the tournament's integrity.

FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal as inadmissible. The United States lost the round-of-16 match to Belgium 4-1 and was eliminated.