Trump's intervention in Balogun red card reversal sparks global backlash as US exits World Cup
Trump's intervention in Balogun red card reversal sparks global backlash as US exits World Cup
President Donald Trump claimed he personally intervened to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension, leading to FIFA's unprecedented decision and the US elimination from the World Cup.
- Trump said he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino three times to request a review of Balogun's red card, and FIFA subsequently suspended the mandatory one-match ban.
- The US lost 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16 and was eliminated from the World Cup.
- UEFA condemned the decision as "unjustified and incomprehensible" and said FIFA had crossed a red line, putting the integrity of the game at stake.
- Infantino acknowledged the call but insisted FIFA judicial bodies are independent and that he told Trump the case was subject to a legal process.
Coverage
27 outlets — read the original reporting
US star Balogun knew red card reversal would ‘cause a lot of controversy’
World Cup 2026: Folarin Balogun expected "a lot of controversy" for ban suspension
أول تعليق من مهاجم أميركا على أزمة "ترامب والبطاقة الحمراء"
Folarin Balogun: Ban reversal caused ‘a lot of outside noise, and that’s hard to avoid’
Football Daily | Belgium and the End Of The Golden Generation Klaxon
هاري كين يكشف تفاصيل جولة الغولف مع ترامب
The World Cup has upended the old world order – and despite Trump and Infantino, it still inspires | Simon Tisdall
World Cup 2026: How Belgium's golden generation have evolved with Spain next in their sights
The US delivered their best modern World Cup performance – and also let themselves down
إنفانتينو يواجه شكوى جديدة بسبب علاقته مع ترامب
All the presidents’ meddling: the Balogun scandal shows how Fifa can break football | Barney Ronay
كورتوا يسخر من ترامب.. ويتوعد نجله قبل مواجهة إسبانيا
Every story is brought together from multiple sources into a single, clear summary — with every perspective kept, not flattened.