Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the suspension of Folarin Balogun, top scorer for the United States in the 2026 World Cup, according to The New York Times, citing three people familiar with the conversation.
The call took place on Wednesday, after Balogun was sent off in the United States' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The red card automatically carried a one-match ban, leaving the forward out of the round of 16 clash against Belgium.
But on Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun was cleared to play. The organization suspended the execution of the punishment for a one-year probationary period, allowing the attacker to be available for Monday's match.
Trump asked for the sanction to be reviewed
According to The New York Times, Trump directly contacted Infantino for FIFA to review the punishment imposed on Balogun.
The intervention of the US president adds a political dimension to an already controversial disciplinary decision. The United States is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, and Balogun is one of the key figures of the host nation's team.
Trump did not publicly state that he had called Infantino nor did he claim credit for the review's outcome, but he did celebrate the decision on Truth Social.
FIFA allows Balogun to play against Belgium
FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun will be able to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium.
The organization did not formally remove the red card or simply annul the record. What it did was suspend the application of the one-match ban for one year.
This means that Balogun can play now, but he is under a probationary period. If he commits an offense of a similar nature and gravity during that period, the sanction could be reactivated and applied along with any new punishment.
A very unusual decision
FIFA's decision is extraordinary due to the timing and context.
According to The New York Times, this is the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player who was, in principle, supposed to be suspended for a match to play.
This fact makes the case one of the major disciplinary controversies of the 2026 World Cup: a direct red card, an automatic suspension, a call from the host country's president to the head of FIFA, and a review that ends up making the player available.
Trump's message
Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social with a message of thanks to FIFA.
The US president thanked the organization for "doing the right thing" and reversing what he called a "great injustice".
His reaction reinforces the political reading of the case. For Trump, the sanction against Balogun was not just a refereeing or disciplinary decision, but a blow against the US team at the most important moment of the tournament.
Why Balogun was so important for the United States
Balogun is the top scorer for the United States in the World Cup.
His absence would have left the host team without its main offensive reference just before a direct elimination match against Belgium, one of the most competitive teams in the tournament.
The United States is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. In its last World Cup appearances, it fell in the round of 16 against Ghana in 2010, Belgium in 2014, and the Netherlands in 2022.
The return of Balogun changes the game and gives the North American team a decisive attacking weapon. under a trial period.
Infantino's role
Gianni Infantino is once again at the center of the debate.
The FIFA president has maintained a very close relationship with Trump for years, reinforced by the United States' role as co-host of the 2026 World Cup.
The New York Times emphasizes that Infantino has tried to maintain a favorable relationship with Trump in recent years. In that context, the call about Balogun and the subsequent disciplinary decision raise the controversy.
FIFA did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request for comment, according to the published information.
Belgium, affected by the decision
The biggest sporting loser is Belgium.
The Belgian team was preparing for the match against the United States with Balogun initially suspended. Now they will have to face the US top scorer in a direct elimination match.
According to The New York Times, the Belgian federation also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.
The change forces Belgium to readjust its defensive plan and fuels the feeling that the United States is getting its key player back in a disciplinary decision without recent precedent.