Trump confirms he asked FIFA to revoke US striker’s red card

Donald Trump has, remarkably, confirmed that he intervened with FIFA to overturn a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun.

The World Cup 2026 has not been without political themes this tournament, particularly considering how players and referees have been prevented from making it into the US to compete with their national teams. 

However, Trump’s latest intervention really takes the biscuit. The lawless US President lobbied FIFA in three phone calls made since 29 June to suspend a red card levelled against US striker Folarin Balogun.

This lobbying has been successful, with the President saying:

Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!

Donald Trump called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to ask him to review the ban on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, according to Sky's U.S. partner network NBC News, citing a source familiar with the phone conversation.

Balogun was due to serve an automatic one-game… pic.twitter.com/krc9QuJ8Tc

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 5, 2026

It isn’t winning if you cheat

Political interference aside, which is bad enough on its own, this move to override football rules just feeds the sense that established systems don’t matter when they get in the way of Trump’s ambitions and greed.

The US hasn’t managed to reach the quarter finals since 2002, let alone go further. Nevertheless, Trump appears more than prepared to use his political power and bully tactics to give his team their best chance of making it through.

It seems no one ever told Trump that a victory achieved through cheating is no victory at all — and this will likely tarnish any wins that the US team now have as a political stitch-up.

"There are no appeals at world cups, but his 1 game suspension has been suspended by FIFA following a reported intervention by US president Donald Trump"

The US has always had a polluting effect on the world, but what Trump has done is to pull back the curtain. pic.twitter.com/qa72i8JMPK

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) July 6, 2026

Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code

Apparently, FIFA’s disciplinary committee made its decision to suspend the red card in line with Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code. This regulation allows it to suspend the card as long as it is not related to match-fixing.

But it’s pretty obvious that Trump sees Balogun as essential for the team to win the upcoming game this evening. The move to make that possible arguably infringes on the article as it is a clear move by the arrogant, entitled president to put his best team forward – despite their behaviour in the past game disqualifying him to play.

Article 27 had also been used to clear Ronaldo last year, conveniently after being a guest of Trump’s in the White House, which seems to suggest that rules can be bent if you’re a strong enough player.

We can’t help but think this must be causing quite a number of professional football players to feel pretty sore about their own adherence to these bans – and the ability for some of the most privileged and well-connected to evade the typical rules of the game.

US Soccer spokesperson Mauricio Pochettino welcomed the decision, stating that:

99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.

On the other hand, this has led to one US citizen now hoping Belgium win tonight as he (rightfully) believes “this is an absolute embarrassment to the United States,” adding that there is an “absolutely horrible precedent being set here”:

This is an absolute embarrassment to the United States. Once again our President embarrasses our nation on the world stage and now takes to social media, boosting that his phone call to FIFA changed the outcome 🤦🏻‍♂️

Absolutely horrible precedent being set here. As a US citizen I…

— Cyrus Janssen (@thecyrusjanssen) July 6, 2026

Calls to sack Trump’s “lapdog” in FIFA

In fact, there are now growing calls to sack FIFA President Infantino “for stealing the world’s most beautiful game to do dirty business”:

La FIFA es una desgracia:

• Suspenden a Rusia, pero no a Israel
• Entregan a Trump un "Premio de la Paz"
• Messi es intocable
• Protegen a Argentina históricamente
• Cancelan tarjeta roja a petición de Trump

Los fans del fútbol en todo el mundo debemos sacar a Infantino… pic.twitter.com/ca0XZAIhV5

— Guille Vidal (@eltemagv) July 5, 2026

Many are pointing out how corruption isn’t even hidden in established institutions anymore:

THIS is the red card Donald Trump had overturned 👇

The White House called Gianni Infantino at FIFA & had it overturned

Corruption doesn’t even hide anymore pic.twitter.com/o6VQZEF57S

— kerry ✊💙Save Our NHS (@hewitson10) July 5, 2026

Twitter-based user, Jannsen also called out the US president’s clear lack of faith in Team USA and calls out the undoubted hypocrisy which would ensue if any other political leader did this:

It's a shame Trump didn't have enough faith in Team USA to believe they could win without Balogun. Trump had to break FIFA rules and use his influence as POTUS to try and give the United States a competitive edge. If you don't believe me, ask yourself. What if the shoes were…

— Cyrus Janssen (@thecyrusjanssen) July 6, 2026

Lose-lose situation for team U-S-A

His post powerfully finished:

We are talking about Trump, the man who insider trades more than all other Presidents combined in US history. The President who personally launched a scam crypto currency to rip off his loyal followers and make billions.

Trump has no integrity and of course he would try and use his position to influence the outcome. It’s what he has done in every other situation in life. Including when he tried to steal the 2020 election.

Trump’s actions set a dangerous precedent in sports and the 2026 USMNT is tainted. It’s now a lose lose situation for today’s game. Win and the entire world will not believe it is an honest result. Lose and this controversy will be talked about in future World Cups.

Terrible and unfair situation for Team USA. Feel sorry for the players who had their World Cup ruined by the actions of a narcissist President

One thing is clear, whether it’s international norms or the rules of the game, the US president shows little regard for either.

Featured image via the Canary