Donald Trump reportedly intervened directly to help Folarin Balogun avoid suspension ahead of the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to The New York Times, the U.S. president personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the referee sent Balogun off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The red card automatically ruled Balogun out of the next match under FIFA regulations. However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later suspended the sanction on a one-year probationary basis and cleared the American striker to face Belgium. The decision surprised the football world and prompted the Belgian Football Association to question its legality.
The New York Times reports that Trump worked with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani, and a team of lawyers to challenge the referee’s decision. Trump also personally informed Gianni Infantino about the legal appeal.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee eventually accepted the challenge and allowed Balogun to play. The Associated Press described the decision as one of the rarest disciplinary reversals in FIFA World Cup history, while several football officials expressed concern that the case could encourage similar interventions in the future.
