Trump Intervenes in the 2026 World Cup, Asking FIFA to Remove Red Cards for US Players

Folarin Balogun is allowed to play in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 against Belgium (Instagram/@usmnt).

JAKARTA - FIFA on Sunday, July 5, 2026, local time, suspended the red card received by the United States (US) striker, Folarin Balogun, in the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup 32-team round.

The suspension allowed the attacker to play against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup 16th round. Funny thing, the suspension was obtained after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, intervened in the matter.

"Based on Article 27 of the FDC, the automatic suspension of the AS player, Folarin Balogun, has been suspended for a probationary period of one year," said FIFA.

FIFA said its decision was based on Article 27 of the Disciplinary Committee's regulations.

"The judicial body may decide to suspend the implementation of disciplinary measures in whole or in part. By suspending the implementation of sanctions, the judicial body imposes a sanction on the person subject to the sanction with a probationary period of one to four years," the regulation reads.

ABC confirmed reports that Donald Trump called FIFA after the US victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina last week to ask FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun's red card.

Trump celebrated the cancellation of the red card shortly after it was announced, by uploading it to his social media network.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a big injustice!" Trump wrote.

The United States will face Belgium Tuesday, July 7, 2026, morning WIB, in Seattle. They are trying to advance to the first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002.

The United States lost in the 16th round to Ghana in the 2010 edition, Belgium in 2014, and the Netherlands in 2022. They failed to qualify from the group stage in 2006 and did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals.

"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to play tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle."

"We look forward to the continued support of our incredible fans," the U.S. Soccer Federation said in a statement.

The red card automatically results in a one-match suspension, but the players were aware of Balogun's availability as social media posts began to surface during the 10-minute bus ride on Sunday from the hotel to the United States team's training ground at the University of Washington.

"I think a lot of us initially thought it was AI. We weren't sure if it was real or not," defender Chris Richards said.

FIFA's decision was clearly a surprise to Belgium. The Royal Belgian Football Association issued a statement expressing its surprise and said it was investigating all possible options.

"The Royal Belgian Football Association is surprised by FIFA's decision to declare the suspended US player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the US-Belgium match."

"FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction."

"However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly states that a red card (expulsion) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued during this World Cup."

"Furthermore, and notwithstanding the above, the decision is in direct contravention of the provisions of the 2026 World Cup Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5."

"The article reads: if a player or team official is expelled as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second warning), they will automatically be suspended from their next team match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed," read the statement from the Belgian Football Federation.

Then, the AS coach, Mauricio Pochettino, spoke about how the situation had evolved over the past few days, saying that he was not involved because he was focused on preparing the team for the match against Belgium.

"It's a normal process and of course the federation must work very hard. J.T. Batson (President of the US Soccer Federation) and the entire federation are working to try to maintain our situation and that's all."

"I'm not involved. I'm focused on trying to prepare the team for Belgium, working in various (areas), working to try to focus and play tomorrow with our best ability, in our best condition," said Pochettino.

Pochettino was also asked at the same time if he supported politicians lobbying FIFA over certain decisions and asking for those decisions to be reviewed.

"No, we can't mix it up. We can't mix it up. (Balogun) is a decision from FIFA based on evidence that happened before."

"For me, it's very good for football, to be celebrated. If in the next game or the game they are playing now and something unfair happens, you have the possibility to overturn the decision."

"The decision that came from VAR, from a situation like a slow motion, which never reflects the reality that happens on the field," said Pochettino.

Balogun scored the opening goal for the US in the 45th minute in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the middle of last week. However, he was later sent off in the 64th minute for what was deemed a hard foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic.

On Friday, July 3, 2026, Balogun said he felt the decision was unfair given that he and Muharemovic were fighting for a position.

"If you play the game, you will understand there are scenarios you cannot avoid and have to be considered in context when reviewed," Balogun said.

The US Soccer Federation did not give Balogun the opportunity to comment, but the Monaco striker posted a photo of himself on social media in front of US fans and added music from Michael Jackson's pop single, Bad, to the image.

Meanwhile, in November 2025, FIFA suspended the last two matches of a three-match ban for Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) for a red card against Ireland in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers so that he could play at the start of the World Cup.

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo in April 2026 also received a one-match suspension for a red card in qualifying so they could play in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Far earlier, Brazil's Garrincha was sent off in the 1962 World Cup semi-final, but allowed to play in the final against Chile after political pressure.

Is Balogun's case similar to Garrincha's where there was direct political pressure from Trump?