“Donald Trump pressures FIFA and Balogun may play against Belgium in the World Cup.”

The explosive decision that allows Folarin Balogun, forward for the United States, to play in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after receiving a direct red card has shaken international football and left Belgium in shock. The turnaround was only possible after a direct intervention from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly contacted Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to demand a review of the punishment imposed on the player.

The controversy erupted this Sunday when FIFA abruptly announced the suspension of Balogun’s punishment, allowing the United States forward to face Belgium in the next round of the World Cup. The international body justified its decision with Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which states that “the judicial body may decide to suspend the total or partial application of a disciplinary measure.” Balogun had been sent off in the Round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after, in the 64th minute, he deliberately stepped on Tarek Muharemovic’s leg. The incident, initially unnoticed by the referee, prompted VAR intervention, which sent referee Raphael Claus to the monitor to review the slow-motion footage—something that, according to FIFA’s own rules, “should” be done at normal speed to assess the intensity of the infractions.


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The news took on even more sensational contours when the New York Times revealed that Donald Trump directly called Gianni Infantino the Wednesday before, allegedly to pressure FIFA to reconsider the suspension of the forward. The close relationship between Trump and Infantino was already known, with the former US president receiving the unprecedented “FIFA Peace Award” from the FIFA leader during the World Cup draw in December. Furthermore, Trump is expected to play a prominent role in the trophy presentation ceremony at the final, scheduled for July 19.

The decision to suspend the punishment of Balogun is historic and virtually unprecedented: only once, in 1962, did FIFA allow a player sanctioned with a direct red card to play in the following match — Brazil’s Garrincha played in the final and was crucial to his country’s consecutive second title victory. Since then, no other athlete has benefited from such leniency, which gives this case special weight and controversy.

Belgium’s reaction was immediate and filled with indignation. Coach Rudi Garcia did not hide his disbelief, ironically stating at the press conference on Sunday: “I didn’t know that on World Cup July 5th, it was actually April 1st. It’s April Fool’s Day.” Balogun himself did not directly comment on the incident, but Donald Trump took to social media to thank FIFA for “correcting an injustice,” while avoiding explicitly admitting any influence on the outcome.

The controversy casts a shadow of suspicion over FIFA’s impartiality and places additional pressure on the organization, which many accuse of yielding to political interests and distorting the competition’s rules. For the United States, this decision represents a relief and a boost of confidence ahead of one of the tournament’s most high-profile clashes, potentially altering the balance of power in the round of 16. For Belgium, the episode is seen as an affront and a sign that world football is far from immune to behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Now, all eyes are on the clash between the United States and Belgium. Balogun’s presence could be decisive in the fight for a place in the quarter-finals, but the scandal promises not to be forgotten anytime soon. Analysts anticipate that FIFA will face a wave of criticism and requests for clarification from various federations, fearing that a dangerous precedent may be set in disciplinary matters. In the corridors of power in world football, the case is already seen as a glaring example of the impact that external factors can have on sporting decisions, with unpredictable consequences for the credibility of the tournament and the governing body itself.

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