Trump personally asked FIFA to review Balogun's suspension. Moscow
Trump personally asked FIFA to review Balogun's suspension. Moscow, July 6 - Vesti. US President Donald Trump thanked the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) on his social media platform Truth Social for suspending the disqualification of American football striker Folakin Balogun.
Consensus
- Folarkin Balogun received a red card during the 1/16 final match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2, 2026.
- The red card resulted in an automatic disqualification for the next match, which was scheduled against Belgium.
- FIFA suspended the automatic disqualification of Balogun, allowing him to play in the 1/8 final against Belgium.
- Donald Trump personally contacted Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to request a review of the decision.
- Trump stated he did not instruct Infantino on how to act and only asked for reconsideration.
- The decision was announced by FIFA on July 5, 2026.
- FIFA's action led to criticism from UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association.
Points of divergence
- Trump called Infantino directly and pressured him to reverse the decision; the scandal revealed how deeply FIFA’s commercial model and Infantino’s authority are tied to host country politics, especially that of the U.S. president. — thebell
- Infantino stated that FIFA's judicial bodies made the decision independently and confirmed he explained during their conversation that the process was independent of external interests. — kommerant
- Trump admitted he did not know football rules regarding red cards, called Infantino three times after Balogun’s dismissal, and claimed he only asked for a review without giving any instructions; FIFA later imposed a one-year probationary period instead of reinstating the player. — riamo
- The decision was described as unprecedented political interference in global sports by political analyst Sergei Markelov, who noted that such influence had previously been handled through closed channels but became public under Trump’s leadership; he also questioned whether this would improve the U.S. team's chances. — vm
- UEFA criticized FIFA’s decision as 'unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustified,' arguing that automatic disqualification is regulated and cannot be overturned during a tournament even if other players have already served their penalties. — vedomosti
Coverage (11 sources)
- Why FIFA listened to Trump and what money has to do with it; Yandex Market cuts staff, Omsk NPPZ shuts down — The Bell
- Trump Cancels Red Card at World Cup with One Call. FIFA Business is Set Up So They Can't Refuse Him — The Bell
- FIFA President Calls the Decision to Disqualify Baloghan Independent — Коммерсантъ
- Trump Confirms He Interfered in Balogun's Disqualification at the World Cup — РИАМО
- FIFA suspends the red card of a US player: what happened — Вечерняя Москва
- Trump personally asked FIFA to review Balogun's disqualification — Ведомости
- Trump Confirms Call to FIFA Head Regarding Review of Baloghan's Disqualification — Коммерсантъ
- Trump thanks FIFA for suspending Balogun's disqualification at the 2026 World Cup — Вести
- Trump Confirms He Personally Asked FIFA to Review Balogun's Suspension Decision — Москва 24
- Trump Called FIFA to Request Red Card for Baloghan Be Cancelled — Коммерсантъ
- Trump Calls FIFA to Revoke Red Card for US Team Top Scorer — Вечерняя Москва
Key entities
- USA
- Donald Trump
- FIFA
- Folarin Balogun
- FIFA
- Gianni Infantino
- Belgium
- Moscow
- White House
- States
- RIA Novosti
- Truth Social
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