Trump Asked FIFA to Review Folarin Balogun Ban Before FIFA Reversed Suspension
Paris Telegraph | July 6, 2026
A major controversy has erupted at the FIFA World Cup after reports revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the one-match suspension imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun.
According to multiple media reports citing sources familiar with the discussions, Trump called Infantino following Balogun’s controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Days later, FIFA announced that Balogun’s one-match suspension had been suspended, making him eligible for the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium.
FIFA said the decision was made under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows sanctions to be suspended in exceptional circumstances. However, the governing body has not stated that Trump’s intervention influenced its ruling.
The decision has triggered criticism from Belgium’s football federation, which described the move as extraordinary and raised concerns about sporting fairness. Football analysts also noted that such reversals are extremely rare during a FIFA World Cup.
Trump later welcomed FIFA’s decision on social media, calling it the correction of a “great injustice.”
While reports consistently confirm that Trump requested a review of the suspension, there is currently no public evidence proving that his request directly caused FIFA to reverse the ban. FIFA maintains that its decision was made under its disciplinary regulations.
The incident has intensified debate over political influence in international football and FIFA’s disciplinary process as the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its knockout stage.
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