Explained: Why Donald Trump asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's red card

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he personally urged FIFA to review the red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting the striker "didn't do anything wrong." FIFA subsequently suspended the automatic one-match ban, allowing Balogun to feature in the Round of 16 match against Belgium, a decision that has drawn strong objections from the Belgian football federation.

Trump questions referee's decision, says Balogun "didn't do anything wrong"

Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the United States' 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

However, FIFA later announced that the suspension had been put on hold under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, allowing the striker to remain eligible for selection. The governing body stated:

"By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year."

Speaking to reporters in a video shared by C-SPAN on X, Trump confirmed that he had spoken directly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and requested a review of the incident, arguing that the dismissal was unwarranted.

"I spoke to Gianni who's highly respected. 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. You... you can't take your foot and properly place it on somebody else's foot when you're going... No, these were two great athletes that got tangled up and this referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. I don't want to say that because I don't like to create controversy. But very suspect. He (Balogun) didn't do anything wrong, and he's one of our best players, a very vital player, and he gave him a red card. So, yes I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who's highly respected. I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said.

The ruling comes as a significant boost for United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Balogun, 25, has been one of the team's standout performers at the tournament, scoring three goals and expected to lead the attack against Belgium in the Round of 16.

Belgium federation challenges FIFA ruling

FIFA's decision has prompted a sharp response from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which described the move as surprising and said it was examining all available options.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the RBFA said it was:

"astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match"

The Belgian federation questioned the legal basis of the decision, arguing that while FIFA cited Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, other provisions require an automatic suspension after a red card.

The RBFA stated: "Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup."

Ted Cruz praises Trump over FIFA intervention

In a separate video shared by C-SPAN on X, US Senator Ted Cruz applauded Trump's intervention and described the reversal of the suspension as a major victory for the American team.

"And on behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card. It was spectacular. There was a reason the FIFA trophy sat here for as long as it did," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)