President Donald Trump made multiple calls to FIFA, starting Wednesday, to overturn a red-card suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun, according to sources cited by The Guardian. The intervention came after referee Raphael Claus issued a straight red following video review during a knockout match against Belgium. Despite FIFA rules normally barring appeals against such sanctions, the world governing body reversed the ban Sunday, allowing Balogun to play Monday night.
The reversal transforms the Round of 16 showdown into a broader test of whether political power can sway international sports governance, the Washington Examiner reports. Critics argue Trump’s lobbying could undermine the integrity of tournament discipline, especially with red cards in the 2026 World Cup already hitting 13—more than the last two tournaments combined. The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the calls.
Partisan dynamics have split along predictable lines. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) publicly thanked Trump for “getting rid of that ridiculous red card.” In contrast, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) faced conservative backlash after wearing a Mexico jersey to a watch party, with Breitbart calling him a “disgrace.” The Norwegian coach, Ståle Solbakken, called FIFA’s reversal a “big mistake,” saying it “hurts” the World Cup’s credibility.
Public opinion appears fractured. Vox frames the episode as raising questions about “standard FIFA corruption” versus a genuine scandal. Seattle businesses hosting World Cup events reported declining sales despite an estimated 750,000 visitors, suggesting local economic enthusiasm may not match national political furor. The Guardian notes that US Soccer had confirmed no appeals were possible before Trump’s calls.
Analysts see this as an unprecedented test of FIFA’s independence from political pressure, especially with the US co-hosting the tournament. The reversal could set a precedent for future high-stakes sanctions, though FIFA declined to comment on the decision or any communications with the White House.