Trump Confirms He Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s World Cup Suspension

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 5: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he asked FIFA to review the one-match suspension handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun, saying the governing body made “the right decision” by allowing the striker to continue playing at the World Cup.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, July 6 Trump said he believed Balogun’s dismissal was unjustified and argued that enforcing the suspension would have left “a big stain” on the tournament.

Balogun had been due to miss the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium on Tuesday after receiving a straight red card for a challenge on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the previous round.

However, FIFA announced on Sunday, July 5, that the automatic one-match suspension had been suspended for 12 months, making the 25-year-old available for selection. The forward has scored three goals for the United States at this summer’s tournament.

Trump disclosed that he raised the matter with FIFA President Gianni Infantino because he did not believe the incident warranted a red card. He, however, insisted that he merely requested a review of the decision and did not attempt to influence the outcome.

“I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. I think it would have left a big stain. 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.

The US President also criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, describing the decision to send off Balogun as “horrible” and saying the official was “a little bit suspect.”

The decision has, however, drawn criticism from Belgium, whose football association questioned FIFA’s handling of the appeal.

In a statement released earlier on Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” that Balogun had been cleared to feature in the knockout match.

“Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole,” the association said.

Asked by BBC Sport to comment on Trump’s remarks, the criticism of referee Raphael Claus, Belgium’s objections and the appeal process, FIFA declined to provide further details, saying it had “nothing more” to add “for now.”

The ruling has also prompted concern elsewhere in football, with England head coach Thomas Tuchel warning that it could create uncertainty over disciplinary decisions at future tournaments.

“Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that. Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end? It’s my question. I don’t have an answer,” Tuchel said.

UEFA also criticised the intervention, saying the decision to effectively cancel an automatic suspension during the tournament had “crossed a red line.”

According to tournament records, only one of the previous 189 World Cup red cards resulted in a player avoiding suspension. That case involved Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, before automatic bans were introduced, amid allegations of political interference.