Read 3 minutesUpdated: 6 July 2026 09:31 PM IST
US President Donald Trump has admitted he has lobbied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the one-match suspension of USA forward Folarin Balogun, a decision that has fueled uproar at the ongoing 2026 World Cup. Balogun was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic, which also means a suspension for the next game. however, After Fifa Dr that “enforcement of the match suspension has been suspended for a probationary period of one year”, thus allowing him to play in the USA’s next match, in the round of 16 against Belgium.
The decision has been made There were strong reactions from many levelsThat was only exacerbated by reports saying the ban was suspended because of Trump’s call to Infantino. The US President has now confirmed his position while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House. “You’re asking me about the whole soccer thing. So, yes, I did. I talked to Gianni. I watched the play. And I’m a person who loves sports and I’m a good athlete,” Trump said.
“I understand the game really well, really well. And it wasn’t a foul. It wasn’t even a violation. It was two guys running full speed that hit each other. And this referee, who’s a little suspect… I don’t like to argue, but very suspicious. He made a call that nobody would believe. You know, those guys said, “We’re very lucky, ‘we’re very lucky,’ interesting.
“And he [Balogun] Our best player, or one of our best players, is a very important player. And gave him a red card. I didn’t know what that meant. It didn’t make much sense to me. Then I started hearing that he won’t be able to play in the next match. I said, boy, that’s huge, you know, if it happened to another player, it would have been unfair. But when they take your best player and they say you can’t play, it’s very unfair. You know, it’s one thing to fine someone for a game, but how do you fine them for a game that hasn’t even been played yet? This is very unfair. You can’t do that.
“So yes, I asked for a review from FIFA. I spoke to a person who is highly respected and, by the way, whose level of respect has increased tenfold. And he was good before this started. But, you know, he really shook this country.”