WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino on July 1 to urge the FIFA president to reconsider the controversial red card issued to men’s national soccer team star Folarin Balogun, according to people familiar with the conversation.
Balogun’s red card and suspension for the next US World Cup match were revoked on July 5.
The release of Balogun, the team’s leading goal scorer and striker, gives the United States a big boost heading into its Round of 16 matchup against Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. The red card given to Balogun after his foot landed on the ankle of an opponent during the World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was widely criticized as being too punitive.
President Trump posted on Truth Social after the reversal, thanking FIFA for “doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice.”
Mr. Trump and Mr. Infantino have developed a friendly relationship over the past year, with the president welcoming the FIFA president to the White House multiple times and Mr. Infantino awarding Mr. Trump with FIFA’s first Peace Prize.
In a statement about the highly unusual reversal, FIFA cited the federation’s disciplinary rules but made no mention of the exchange between Trump and Infantino.
FIFA regulations state that “the judicial body may decide to suspend, in whole or in part, the implementation of disciplinary measures.” The player will then enter a probationary period and the suspension will be revoked.
Regarding Balogun’s decision, FIFA announced, “Based on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the enforcement of match suspensions will be suspended for a one-year trial period.” “If Folarin Balogun commits another violation of a similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction shall be enforced without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new violation.”
The New York Times first reported Trump’s call to Infantino.
FIFA has invoked a similar provision to allow Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup after serving a three-match ban for taking an elbow in the 2025 World Cup qualifier against Ireland.
FIFA did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on the White House’s role in the decision.
USA TODAY’s Nancy Armor contributed to this report.
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