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President Donald Trump has weighed in on the Folarin Balogun red card controversy at the World Cup, calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the controversial decision in the round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a source confirmed to Pak Gazette.
It is unknown what exactly Trump said to Infantino, whom the 45th and 47th presidents have called a “great leader in sports” and a friend.
The USMNT forward, who has three goals in this World Cup, including one before his red card in the round of 32 match, has been cleared to play in a surprising turn of events.
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President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official drawing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC (Emilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)
The Athletic, which first reported on Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
“If the beneficiary of a suspended sanction commits another infraction of a similar nature and severity during the trial period, the suspension will be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction will be executed without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infraction,” the rule adds.
FIFA MAKES FINAL DECISION ON CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION OF AMERICAN SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN
FIFA confirmed that Balogun’s suspension was for a one-year probationary period.
“We accept the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and are pleased that Folarin Balogun will be eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said. “All of our attention is focused on the round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our incredible fans.”
Folarin Balogun scored two goals in his first World Cup game for the United States. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Belgium, who narrowly escaped Senegal in the round of 32, were “stunned” by Fifa’s decision to allow Balogun the right to play on Monday night. The Royal Belgian Football Federation said it will “investigate all potential options” to reverse this decision on Balogun.
Team USA coach Mauricio Pochettino and his team were thinking about how to replace Balogun at the top of their lineup, but now that has all changed, allowing them to be left without their usual starting lineup against a formidable Belgian team.
While the USMNT hopes to beat Belgium and other opponents in the future, Trump and Infantino will be together at the New York/New Jersey stadium on July 19 for the World Cup final. Just as they did last year at the FIFA Club World Cup final, Trump will present the World Cup trophy to the captain of the winning team on the field, as Infantino said on “Fox & Friends.”
President Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, pose for a selfie with Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Héctor Vivas/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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If the USMNT defeats Belgium on Monday night, they would be the second team in the country’s history to reach the quarterfinals. They would also face the winner of Portugal and Spain if they manage to take care of Belgium first.
