Did President Donald Trump and the White House influence Folarin Balogun’s red card call?

In a shocking turn of events, U.S. men’s national team star forward Folarin Balogun will now be available to play in the World Cup Round of 16 matchup against Belgium on Monday night. This begs the question: did US President Donald Trump have anything to do with this?

The 25-year-old goal machine, who stole Americans’ hearts on his debut in the competition with three goals in as many matches, received a controversial red card in the 64th minute of the round of 16 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The one-match ban, allegedly without appeal under FIFA rules for the tournament, heavily marred an otherwise exciting affair, in which the USMNT claimed its first knockout victory in 24 years and secured a place in the last 16.

Balogun fully expected to watch from the sidelines at Seattle’s Lumen Field as his teammates took on the European powerhouse. “I’ve seen a lot of different opinions and points of view, but for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair, and it’s something that happened, so we have to move forward, and I have to accept it,” he told reporters on Friday.

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However, FIFA confirmed the change on Sunday, stating on its website: “Pursuant to Article 27 of the FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for American player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”

Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code states that “the judicial body may decide to totally or partially suspend the execution of a disciplinary measure”. A discretionary order that was similarly applied when Cristiano Ronaldo avoided a three-match suspension after receiving a straight red card while playing for Portugal in a pre-World Cup friendly.

Immediately after the announcement, the president posted on Truth Social: “Thank you FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice! » It was later reported that the White House had called FIFA directly to ask the governing body’s president, Gianni Infantino, to reconsider the red card call, according to GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs as well as Tyler Pager and Tariq Panja of the New York Times.

How much did Trump influence the red card decision?

President Donald Trump (left) and Gianni Infantino enjoy a strong relationship. | Tasos Katopodis/FIFA/Getty Images

It is common knowledge that Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino enjoy a close relationship, a bond that has been strengthened by the United States’ joint hosting of the 2026 World Cup this summer. Infantino even awarded Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington, DC, last December.

Nonetheless, FIFA sources reportedly insisted that the White House played no role in the decision to overturn Balogun’s red card, but rather it was a decision made entirely by the disciplinary committee in accordance with Article 27.

USMNT players are delighted with this decision. “Balogun handled it so well, and the team handled it well,” star Christian Pulisic said, according to reporter Larry Henry Jr. “You have to handle it the right way, and good things happen to people like that. He was so positive and everything for the team. It’s good. Really excited that he has this opportunity. Seeing the smile on his face and being able to give us a boost tomorrow, it’s great.”

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