Trump Contacted Infantino Over Balogun Red Card as FIFA Cleared U.S. Striker to Face Belgium
President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card issued to United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun during the team's Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a source confirmed to Fox News. The precise content of the conversation is not known. Shortly after, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee cleared Balogun to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium, suspending his sanction for a probationary period of one year.
FIFA's disciplinary code allows its judicial bodies to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure, according to The Athletic, which first reported Balogun's eligibility on Sunday. Under the applicable provision, if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspended sanction would be reinstated alongside any additional punishment. U.S. Soccer accepted the ruling, stating it was pleased Balogun remained eligible and that the team's focus had shifted entirely to the Belgium fixture in Seattle. The Royal Belgian Football Association described FIFA's decision as astonishing and said it was investigating all potential options to have the ruling reversed. greyhound racing post app
Balogun, a forward who represents the United States internationally and plays his club football in Europe, had scored three goals in the tournament prior to the disciplinary ruling, including one in the Bosnia and Herzegovina match before receiving his red card. His availability resolves a significant selection problem for U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose staff had been preparing alternative attacking arrangements in anticipation of Balogun serving the ban. Trump and Infantino have a publicly documented relationship; Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize from Infantino at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, and Trump has previously described Infantino as a friend and a great leader in sports.
Should the United States defeat Belgium, they would advance to the quarterfinals - only the second time in the nation's history the team would reach that stage of a World Cup. A potential quarterfinal opponent would be the winner of the Portugal-Spain match. Trump is scheduled to attend the World Cup Final at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, where he is set to present the trophy to the winning team's captain on the field, as confirmed by Infantino.
