Donald Trump reminds fans how his Gianni Infantino talk led to Folarin Balogun's controversial red card reversal

US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over one of the most controversial decisions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, recalling how a conversation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino preceded the reversal of American striker Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match suspension.

Speaking alongside Infantino at a FIFA reception ahead of the World Cup final, Trump praised the football chief for what he described as the "right decision" in allowing Balogun to play in the United States' Round of 16 clash against Belgium after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was reviewed.

Trump defends FIFA's decision

Addressing guests at the event, Trump said FIFA had avoided a much bigger controversy by overturning Balogun's suspension.

According to Trump, had the United States been eliminated without one of its key forwards, questions over the original red card would have dominated the tournament.

"Gianni made yet another of his many good decisions," Trump said, adding that the outcome left "no controversy" because the United States had the opportunity to compete with its strongest available squad.

The Balogun controversy

Balogun received a straight red card during the USA's group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR review deemed his challenge to constitute serious foul play.

Under FIFA's disciplinary rules, the dismissal carried an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of the knockout match against Belgium. However, FIFA later suspended the ban after a review, making the striker eligible for selection in a move that surprised players, officials and fans alike.

Although Balogun returned to the squad, the United States was beaten 4-1 by Belgium, ending its World Cup campaign.

Trump's role draws scrutiny

Trump has previously acknowledged that he contacted Infantino after watching the incident, saying he believed the challenge did not warrant a red card and requesting that FIFA review the decision.

While the president insisted he did not pressure football's governing body, the episode triggered criticism from several football administrators and national associations, who questioned whether political intervention had influenced an independent disciplinary process.

FIFA faced backlash

The reversal prompted protests from the Belgian Football Association and criticism from UEFA, with opponents arguing that FIFA had departed from established disciplinary procedures.

The controversy also fuelled wider debate about transparency, governance and the relationship between politics and football during a tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Balogun admits situation was difficult

Balogun later admitted that the decision created significant attention around the US squad.

The striker said he was initially pleased to return but realised the unprecedented ruling had generated considerable outside noise, making preparations for the Belgium match more challenging.

Spotlight returns before the World Cup final

Trump's latest remarks have brought the incident back into focus just days before the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

While FIFA has defended its disciplinary process, the Balogun case remains one of the defining controversies of the tournament, continuing to raise questions about consistency, governance and the influence of high-profile political figures on world football.