Details have emerged of a phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that led to the lifting of Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension. The USA striker, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was sent off during the second half of the co-hosts' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Sunday, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced it would suspend Balogun's one-match ban with a probationary period of one year.
Trump's intervention
According to talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs, it was communicated directly to Infantino that Trump felt the punishment was unjust. Other White House figures also lobbied football's world governing body. 'The President and Infantino did speak, and the President wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given and why there was a suspension,' a US official confirmed. 'The appeal process is run by an independent board. The US government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process.'
Trump and Infantino's relationship has been under scrutiny since the American president was handed the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December. Having kept a relatively low profile during the tournament, Trump appears to have wielded his influence to pressure FIFA into temporarily lifting Balogun's ban.
Outrage from Belgium
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likened the ruling to 'April Fool's Day' and insisted his federation was 'defending football'. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) claimed the decision violated the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations and cited a separate section of the disciplinary code. It added: 'In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.' Belgium may yet appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Pochettino's reaction
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino said he 'wasn't involved' in the decision and 'found out today before training'. He claimed he 'didn't have time' to see Trump's remarks on social media but that his federation was 'working really hard and trying to defend our situation'. He added: 'My reaction is like everyone. I really love the sport, and trust the ethic and integrity. I think we all celebrate that decision.' Asked about Trump's rumoured involvement, the former Tottenham boss insisted: 'You cannot mix that. It is a decision from FIFA.'
Integrity questioned
Gary Neville branded FIFA's decision as shameful and hinted US soccer chiefs could urge Pochettino to leave Balogun on the bench. But fellow ITV pundit Ian Wright dismissed that suggestion: 'I'm not sure if they've got the balls to do that [not play Balogun anyway]. They are not going to do that with Trump. They can't embarrass him like that. If he's involved in it. There's no way they are going to do that.'
According to FIFA's disciplinary code, should Balogun commit 'another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement'.
