On Monday, President Donald Trump claimed credit for urging FIFA to review a red card issued to United States star forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. In an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump stated, “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’” He confirmed that he reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suggesting a second look at the red card given to Balogun, which resulted in a mandatory one-game ban for a foul tackle during the U.S. team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California.

FIFA subsequently decided to lift the one-game ban, allowing Balogun to participate in the round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday in Seattle. This decision was celebrated within the U.S., though it faced significant backlash internationally. Critics labeled FIFA’s move as an egregious interference. The Belgian soccer federation even challenged Balogun's eligibility for the match, with UEFA calling the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” Ultimately, the U.S. team was eliminated from the tournament after Belgium won 4-1.

During his comments, Trump criticized the referee's red card decision, which he described as a “horrible” call. He believed it would have been a stain on the tournament if Balogun, the U.S. team’s leading scorer with three goals during this year’s World Cup, was excluded from the match against Belgium. Trump asserted that he didn’t perceive Balogun’s actions as a foul, describing the incident as two athletes colliding.

The president admitted he initially didn’t understand what a red card entailed. Once informed of its implications, he opted to intervene. He also raised concerns about using video reviews for issuing red cards, suggesting that such footage can exaggerate the perceived aggression of a play. “Belgium has got a great team,” Trump stated, underscoring the need for both teams to compete with their best players for a fair match.

Infantino defended the integrity of FIFA’s disciplinary process shortly after Trump’s comments, emphasizing that FIFA maintains independent judicial bodies that would handle such cases appropriately. In a statement, he affirmed, “That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.”

Republican Senator Ted Cruz expressed gratitude towards Trump for his involvement, calling the lifting of the red card “spectacular.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio also supported the decision, further stating that it would undermine Belgium's victory if Balogun was absent from the game. He humorously remarked on the matter evolving into an “international incident” in the context of NATO meetings in Turkey that week.

Trump further targeted Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, alluding to questionable factors regarding his past officiating experiences, although he provided no specifics. Claus has been regarded highly in Brazil, officiating critical matches, including those in the 2024 Copa America. The Brazilian soccer federation defended Claus, asserting that there was no evidence questioning his integrity.

Balogun received the red card following an incident where he appeared to step on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. This was not initially met with a card until a slow-motion review prompted the referee to issue a red card. Balogun believed a yellow card would have been a more fitting response. The swift decision from FIFA to overturn the ban was met with disdain from Belgium's coach, while U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino offered praise for the lifting of the punishment.

Amidst the escalating situation, support for Balogun emerged from various corners, including U.S. government officials who felt that the decision process was flawed based on the evidence presented during the match. Discussions about the red card dominated the flight back to Washington, highlighting concerns over the appropriateness of the slow-motion review used in the incident.

As the narrative surrounding Balogun's suspension and its reversal unfolded, it underscored the complexities and competitiveness of international soccer, eliciting reactions from key figures in sports and politics alike.