FIFA president Infantino responds to the controversy over Balogun’s red card ahead of the US against Belgium

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended her decision to release Folarin Balogun for the United States’ World Cup match against Belgium, following a backlash over US President Donald Trump’s intervention in the case.

Balogun had been sent off following a VAR review for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the USA’s 2-0 win in the round of 32. The red card initially carried an automatic one-match ban, ruling the striker out of the Belgian match, before FIFA suspended the implementation of the sanction for a one-year trial period.

FIFA Media said in a message on

The decision came after Trump said he had spoken to Infantino and asked for the red card to be reviewed.

«All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t think it was a violation,» Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. «I didn’t tell him what to do; I can’t tell him what to do.»

Trump also defended Balogun, saying the striker «did nothing wrong» and calling FIFA’s decision «brilliant».

The ruling has drawn sharp criticism from UEFA, which said FIFA had «crossed a red line» by not enforcing the automatic one-match ban. Belgium has also disputed Balogun’s fitness and said it was concerned about the turn of events and would continue to defend the principles of fair play and sporting integrity.

Published on July 6, 2026