US President Donald Trump has confirmed he personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun's red card, which was issued to the American player during a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina.The incident occurred when Balogun attempted a tackle on Tarik Muharemovic, stomp on his ankle, and was shown a straight red card after VAR review.FIFA's Disciplinary Committee later cleared Balogun to play against Belgium, rejecting Belgium's appeal.Trump argued the tackle was a collision between athletes, not a foul, and criticized the referee's decision.Infantino emphasized FIFA's independent judicial process, stating decisions are made autonomously and free from political interference.

The controversy has raised concerns about public trust in FIFA's integrity, with Balogun's potential participation in the Belgium match remaining uncertain.The incident highlights tensions between political influence and football governance, casting a shadow over the tournament's credibility.