NYT reports Trump made call to FIFA seeking relief from Balogun red card.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Edit: text of article
President Trump called Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, on Wednesday and asked him to review the suspension of the United States’ top goal scorer, Folarin Balogun, after he was given a red card in the team’s match that night against Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to three** **people familiar with the conversation.
On Sunday, FIFA announced that Mr. Balogun would be eligible to play Monday against Belgium after his red card ban was suspended.
The reversal is highly unusual and the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game when they would have been suspended. It also comes as Mr. Infantino has spent years trying to curry favor with Mr. Trump. Last year, FIFA created and gave Mr. Trump the FIFA Peace Prize amid the president’s public, but failed, campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pascale Van Damme, the president of the Belgian federation, did not reply to a message seeking comment.
The White House referred to Mr. Trump’s post on Truth Social.
The president celebrated on his social media platform FIFA’s announcement that it would allow Mr. Balogun to play, though he did not say that he called Mr. Infantino nor did he take any credit for the decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
Mr. Balogun was sent off the field in Wednesday match after receiving a red card for committing a foul against a defender for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The red card also carried a one-game suspension for Monday’s match against Belgium. But on Sunday, FIFA said Mr. Balogun could play.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the governing body said in a statement. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement,” the statement reads.
Allowing Mr. Balogun to play advantages the United States, with the striker being the main goal threat as the U.S. tries to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years.
It is not the first time FIFA has drawn scrutiny for altering rules that appear to favor certain teams or star players. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most famous players, was cleared to play at the start of the World Cup when under regular rules he should have missed the first two games because of a red card before the tournament began.
F them. Not like the world was rooting for us anyways. You want us to be the villains? Fine then. Be careful what you wish for world.
Just wanted to give a shoutout to all the American fans.
I went to multiple World Cup games in Seattle and Los Angeles, and every experience was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible, everyone was welcoming, and it genuinely felt like “soccer” was bringing people together.
A special thanks to all the US fans in LA who were cheering for Canada. That meant a lot and made for a really memorable experience.
Whatever politicians or the media try to do, that’s not what I experienced. I met great people, shared laughs, talked “soccer”, and felt nothing but hospitality.
Good luck!
🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸
Edit: Take Me Home song in Seattle brought some tears, soo cool
FIFA has suspended Balo’s red card.
“We’re scareeeed. Whaaaaaaa!”
Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium, with his one-game red-card ban that he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended.
Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
Read for free: https://nyti.ms/3RkeoH5
We’ve got Balogun, Super Balogun
I just don’t think you understand
He’s Pochettino’s man, he’s better than Haaland
We’ve got Super Balogun
It really funny to see all the people who don’t watch outside of Europe act shocked at how Paraguay played. The shithousery on display was so mild compared to what the US/Mexico//Canada deal with during normal WC qualifying. Their tactic almost paid off too. France could not get into a rhythm, and didn’t get a shot on frame until after 70 minutes. I know Paraguay are in CONMEBOL but it’s the same shit in CONCACAF. Anyway, really interesting and funny observation.
To make it an even dozen.