Trump Admits Calling FIFA Chief to Kill Balogun Suspension

The U.S. president confirmed Saturday he personally telephoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lobby against striker Folarin Balogun's one-game ban, triggering an international row over World Cup integrity.

Trump confirmed he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to contest Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension.
FIFA reversed Balogun's ban, allowing him to play in the United States' round-of-16 win.
UEFA formally accused FIFA of crossing a red line by overturning a match official's decision under political pressure.
Belgium, the team Balogun's availability helped eliminate, expressed shock at the reversal.
England beat Mexico to reach the quarter-finals and will face Norway; Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the tournament.

President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday he telephoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lobby against a one-game suspension imposed on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, setting off a full-scale international row over political interference in the 2026 World Cup.

Trump made the admission publicly, framing the call as routine advocacy for an American player on home soil. FIFA subsequently reversed Balogun's ban, derived from a red card issued during group-stage play.

UEFA responded with a formal statement accusing FIFA of “crossing a red line” by overturning a match official's ruling under pressure from a head of state. Belgium, whose elimination from the tournament was directly affected by Balogun's availability, called the reversal shocking.

FIFA has not detailed the procedural basis for the reversal. The governing body has faced questions from multiple national associations about whether due process was followed.

Separately, England defeated Mexico in a round-of-16 thriller to advance to the quarter-finals. Midfielder Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament through injury.

England face Norway in the quarter-final. FIFA is expected to face formal written challenges from UEFA and at least one other confederation before that fixture kicks off.