- President Donald Trump defended making a phone call to FIFA's president, which led to the soccer association overturning a one-game World Cup suspension of U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun.
- "I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said, referring to a referee issuing Balogun a red card and ejecting him from his team's game last week over Bosnia and Herzegovina
- FIFA's controversial reversal means Balogun can play in Monday night's knockout match against Belgium in Seattle.
President
Donald Trump on Monday defended making a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which led to the soccer association controversially overturning a one-game World Cup suspension of U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun.
"I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump said, referring to a referee issuing Balogun a red card in his team's victory last week over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The card led to Balogun being ejected from that match — and to the 25-year-old being barred from playing in the U.S.'s game on Monday night against Belgium.
But FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play in Monday night's knockout match against Belgium in Seattle.
"I didn't tell him what to do. I can't tell him what to do," Trump said of his call to Infantino. "And I don't believe he made the decision."
The president said that if Balogun's suspension had been upheld for the match against Belgium, "This game would have a big mark on it, if we lost or if we won."
"If they beat us, then they could be really proud," Trump said of the Belgian squad.
This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.<small>Source: CNBC</small>
Business
Trump defends call urging Balogun red card review: 'It wasn't a foul'
CNBC
July 06, 2026
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