Trump Advocates for Balogun's Red Card Review Ahead of USA vs Belgium Match

In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has requested FIFA to review the controversial red card given to Folarin Balogun, just before the USA's crucial match against Belgium. Trump criticized the referee's decision, arguing it would be unfair for the USA to play without one of their top players. He expressed his disbelief at the implications of a red card and praised the decision to suspend the ban, allowing Balogun to participate. As the situation develops, uncertainty looms over Balogun's eligibility, with Belgium allowed to appeal the ruling. Read on for more insights into this unfolding story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 6, 2026, 21:04 IST

Trump's Intervention in Balogun's Red Card Controversy

Donald Trump has publicly stated that he requested FIFA to reassess the red card issued to Folarin Balogun, labeling the referee's decision as 'horrible.' This incident has stirred controversy just before the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium, scheduled for July 6 at Seattle Stadium. Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which initially meant he would miss the upcoming game against Belgium. However, FIFA announced a suspension of the ban just a day prior to the match, allowing the forward to participate.

Reports surfaced indicating that Trump reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding this issue, which he confirmed during a media interaction. He expressed disbelief at the decision, stating, 'I've never seen anything like it. I saw the play... that wasn't a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other... So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA.'

Trump emphasized the unfairness of the situation, suggesting it would be unacceptable for the USA to compete without one of their top players. He drew comparisons to how fans would react if star players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Harry Kane were sidelined for similar reasons. 'It would have been terrible if they wouldn’t allow a top player—maybe the best, maybe among the best players on the team—to play,' he remarked.

'Lack of Understanding About Red Cards'

In his comments, Trump admitted he was previously unaware of the implications of a red card and criticized the referee's judgment. He praised the independent committee for their decision to overturn the initial ruling, stating, 'We’ve got to have our best players, and Belgium has a great team, by the way. If we win or we lose, it’s fair.'

He further lamented the potential consequences of losing Balogun, saying, 'If we lost him and we lose the game—it would be a terrible thing.' Trump concluded by reiterating his belief that the referee's decision was poor, adding, 'I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out, I said, “You’ve got to be kidding.” This guy just holds it up: “OK, your best player is not going to play in the next game.” I said, “Wow, that’s a lot of power. That’s terrible.”'

As the situation unfolds, uncertainty remains regarding Balogun's eligibility for the match, as Belgium has been granted the opportunity to appeal the decision.