Balogun, Trump and FIFA’s World Cup red card controversy: 5 things to know 

Trump Inserts Himself Into World Cup Drama

Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has sparked international outrage after reports confirmed he intervened in the World Cup.It began after Team USA superstar Folarin Balogun was handed a red card in the second half of the July 1 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after clashing with an opposing player’s foot. As a result, he was ejected from the game and given a one-game suspension. At the time, FIFA said that the referee’s call was final and could not be overturned or appealed. “I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call. I think a yellow card would have been fair, just due to it not being intentional,” Balogun told reporters on Friday.Read more at The Daily Beast.

Why FIFA’s Balogun red card suspension after Trump call is so controversial

FIFA's unprecedented decision sparked huge furore in football world.

The Reactions to FIFA Getting the Trump Card on Folarin Balogun's Red Card Are Amazing

The Reactions to FIFA Getting the Trump Card on Folarin Balogun's Red Card Are Amazing

FIFA Gives Trump Exactly What He Wants

Reversing a red card against U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun isn’t FIFA’s only unusual concession to Trump. The post FIFA Gives Trump Exactly What He Wants appeared first on The Intercept.

FIFA face being FLOODED with appeals after Folarin Balogun red card scandal: France complain over Michael Olise's YELLOW, English FA consider raising Jarell Quansah's dismissal... and the five Three Lions stars on bookings!

FIFA face being FLOODED with appeals after Folarin Balogun red card scandal: France complain over Michael Olise's YELLOW, English FA consider raising Jarell Quansah's dismissal... and the five Three Lions stars on bookings!

World Cup 2026: France v Morocco quarter-final buildup, Collina defends refereeing – live

All the latest as we look ahead to the quarter-finals Player guide | Bracketology| Golden Boot | Email usAndrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup taskforce, has defended Donald Trump’s lobbying of Fifa to lift the suspension of US player Folarin Balogun for Monday’s game against Belgium.The US president claimed that Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who showed Balogun a red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was “a little bit suspect, if you check his past”. This was apparently a reference to a match-fixing investigation by Brazil’s senate in 2024 that examined how referees were assigned to games but did not accuse Claus of wrongdoing. Continue reading...

FIFA Scandal: Former referees question different fates of Balogun, Quansah

NEW YORK: FIFA’s handling ‌of two World Cup red-card cases came under renewed scrutiny on Thursday after England defender Jarell Quansah got a two-match suspension while US striker Folarin Balogun avoided an immediate ban for a similar ​challenge. That has left former international referees unable to reconcile the two decisions. Quansah was sent off in England’s last-16 victory over Mexico after a video review deemed his sliding studs-up challenge serious foul play. He was later handed a two-match ban that England’s Football Association said it could not appeal.

Belgium submits appeal on FIFA red card suspension for Folarin Balogun

The Royal Belgian Football Association on Monday submitted an appeal to FIFA regarding a ruling that overturned a one-game ban for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The move came after President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging him to review the red card given to Balogun. The World Cup governing body ultimately suspended Balogun’s red...

FIFA Is So Shamelessly Corrupt, They’ll Change Their Own Rules at Trump’s Command

Whether or not Folarin Balogun should have gotten a red card in the first place, FIFA has demonstrated it will do anything to appease Trump.

FIFA bows to Trump's demands and drops suspension of US player

FIFA has bowed to US President Donald Trump by reversing the controversial red-card ban for star player Folarin Balogun. US national team striker Folarin Balogun received a one-game ban during the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after awkwardly stepping on one of their players’ ankles. Balogun was set to miss the round of 16 match this week, and the decision was originally not subject to appeal or review. Trump stepped in by calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the week to get a review to retract the red-card suspension. The President’s call worked, marking a major win for Team USA as the red card ban was overturned.

Marco Rubio Calls On FIFA To Appeal Red Card Shown To Folarin Balogun

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally demanded that FIFA pursue an appeal following the controversial red card shown to U.S. men’s national team forward Folarin Balogun. The dismissal has drawn significant attention and sparked debate among soccer fans, officials, and commentators across the country. Balogun, who has been a key attacking figure for the [] The post Marco Rubio Calls On FIFA To Appeal Red Card Shown To Folarin Balogun appeared first on Foreign Policy Journal.

Is Donald Trump giving FIFA orders? | DW News

FIFA has reversed a match ban for star USA striker Folarin Balogun after Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The controversial U-turn means Balogun, the team's top goalscorer, will feature in a crucial World Cup knockout match against Belgium. #Trump #WorldCup FIFA For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/ ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1

FIFA SPARKS FUROR

FIFA SPARKS FUROR (Main headline, 2nd story, link) Related stories:TRUMP CARD: WORLD CUP CHEATS FOR USA?

FIFA rejects Belgium’s appeal over Folarin Balogun red card at World Cup

FIFA has swiftly rejected an appeal from Belgium’s soccer federation (RFBA) over Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension, saying that the federation was “not a party to the proceedings.” There has been a growing firestorm over FIFA’s last-minute decision to allow U.S. forward Balogun to play in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, []...Click to read more

Can The USA Appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup Red Card?

Can the USA appeal the red card given to Folarin Balogun? Our World Cup rules expert explains.

[Video] NOW - Trump confirms he spoke to FIFA President, asked for a review, calls the referee [...]

NOW - Trump confirms he spoke to FIFA President, asked for a review, calls the referee that gave the red card very suspect, and says the red card wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction... he didn't do anything wrong... that's very unfair.@disclosetv

Belgian fans stunned over FIFA's Balogun U-turn

Belgian fans were stunned over FIFA's decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban following intervention by President Trump ahead of their World Cup knockout game. #redcard #folarinbalogun #fifaworldcup #trump #fifa 👉 Subscribe: https://reut.rs/4b8fRGn Keep up with the latest news from around the world: https://www.reuters.com/ Follow Reuters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reuters Follow Reuters on X: https://twitter.com/Reuters Follow Reuters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reuters/?hl=en

The Balogun Red Card Saga Gets Even Wilder As Trump and FIFA President Weigh In

The Balogun Red Card Saga Gets Even Wilder As Trump and FIFA President Weigh In

Trump admits to asking FIFA president for review of controversial red card against Balogun

President Donald Trump said Monday that he personally reached out to FIFA after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun was shown a red card that initially would have sidelined him for the Americans’ Round of 16 match, arguing Wednesday’s play against Bosnia and Herzegovina never warranted an ejection. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he []

2026 World Cup: FIFA suspends Folarin Balogun’s red card ahead of USA vs Belgium clash

FIFA have confirmed that USA striker, Folarin Balogun, is available for selection when they face Belgium in the last-32 of the 2026 World Cup. The world football governing body, in a shock decision, overruled Balogun’s red card. The sending off during the 2-0 win over Bosnia Herzegovina carried a mandatory one-match ban. Balogun was [] 2026 World Cup: FIFA suspends Folarin Balogun’s red card ahead of USA vs Belgium clash

US soccer star Folarin Balogun’s red card at World Cup suspended after Trump intervenes: Report

US soccer star Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension at the World Cup has been lifted by FIFA after President Donald Trump intervened, The Associated Press reported. The lifting of the red card means Balogun, 25, will be available for the United States in their round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday. The striker, who plays for...

Trump says World Cup referee’s red card call was ‘horrible’ but insists he left outcome to FIFA

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against the United States’ star forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup but said he did not demand an outcome. “All I did was ask for a review,” Trump said when asked about it during an [] The post Trump says World Cup referee’s red card call was ‘horrible’ but insists he left outcome to FIFA appeared first on Loonie Politics.

‘Overturn this’: victorious Belgium throw barb after Balogun red-card controversy

For Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it emerged that Donald Trump had lobbied for Balogun’s red card to be overturned, Belgium – and other nations – were outraged: Uefa called the decision “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

Belgium's soccer federation 'astonished' that FIFA allows USMNT's Folarin Balogun to play after red card

Balogun's one-game ban was suspended by FIFA on Sunday afternoon.

Trump called FIFA head to seek review of US player red card – Source

U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA ​President Gianni Infantino ‌earlier this week to ask the soccer governing body ​to review a ​red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, ​according to a source ​briefed on the call. FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun would ​be eligible to ​play for the U.S. in Monday’s ‌knockout game []

U.S. soccer cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card suspension

SANTA CLARA — The U.S. cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s red card and ensuing suspension from the Americans’ round of 16 match against Belgium, U.S. soccer officials confirmed. FIFA rules governing the 2026 World Cup, first cited by The Athletic, state that “a sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional []

Blatter persoal ‘kuasa politik’ selepas panggilan telefon Trump kepada FIFA

LAUSANNE: Bekas Presiden FIFA, Sepp Blatter mempersoalkan keputusan badan induk bola sepak dunia itu untuk menggantung hukuman kad merah yang dikenakan ke atas penyerang Amerika Syarikat, Florian Balogun. Sumber memberitahu AFP bahawa Presiden Amerika Syarikat, Donald Trump telah menghubungi Presiden FIFA, Gianni Infantino bagi meminta FIFA menyemak semula penggantungan automatik satu perlawanan yang dikenakan terhadap Balogun. Pemain ... Read more The post Blatter persoal ‘kuasa politik’ selepas panggilan telefon Trump kepada FIFA appeared first on Utusan Malaysia.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Trump thanks FIFA after Balogun cleared to play for US in RO16 clash against Belgium

Washington DC [US], July 6 (ANI): US President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA's decision to make striker Folarin Balogun available for the co-hosts' FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Belgium, thanking world football's governing body after the suspension was lifted.Reacting shortly after FIFA confirmed its decision, Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a

Trump official sought FIFA review of Balogun red card

A Trump administration official asked FIFA to review U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red card, a source familiar with the matter tells Axios.Why it matters: Direct intervention by a U.S. administration official in a FIFA disciplinary case would be highly unusual, and the reversal of Balogun's one-match suspension allows him to play in the knockout stage.The big picture: The episode underscores the extraordinary level of White House interest in the U.S. men's national team's World Cup run and raises questions about political involvement in international sports governance.Driving the news: The New York Times reported Sunday that President Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, though the source did not identify who contacted FIFA about Balogun's disciplinary case.Trump welcomed the reversal in a Truth Social post earlier Sunday, saying: Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!Flashback: Balogun was red-carded in Team USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.What's next: The U.S. plays Belgium in the round of 16 clash on Monday.

[Photo] JUST IN: 🇧🇪🇺🇸 FIFA denies Belgium's appeal, clearing Folarin Balogun to play.

JUST IN: FIFA denies Belgium's appeal, clearing Folarin Balogun to play.@BRICSNews

Mondial 2026 : après la levée de la suspension de Balogun, Trump revendique son intervention, l’UEFA s’insurge

La décision de la FIFA de suspendre l’application de la suspension automatique d’un match infligée à Folarin Balogun continue de provoquer de vives réactions. Au cœur de la polémique se trouve le carton rouge reçu par l’attaquant lors du match contre la Bosnie-Herzégovine, dans lequel les États-Unis ont gagné 2-0 en seizièmes de finale. L’incident []

Trump intervention sees USA star cleared to play in FIFA World Cup | 9 News Australia

FIFA has denied Belgium's red‑card appeal, clearing a top USA player to compete today after President Trump pushed for the case to be reviewed. President Gianni Infantino says FIFA's disciplinary bodies act independently, despite Trump publicly praising the outcome. Infantino also told the president the Balogun decision was still moving through a formal legal process. | *Subscribe and 🔔: http://9Soci.al/KM6e50GjSK9* *Get more breaking news at 9News.com.au: http://9Soci.al/iyCO50GjSK6* FOLLOW 9News Australia ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9News/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9news/ Join 9News for the latest in news and events that affect you in your local city, as well as news from across Australia and the world. #9News #BreakingNews #NineNewsAustralia #9NewsAU

Outrage Erupts as FIFA Clears Balogun Red Card Ban — But Is It Justified?

FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic ban for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina after Donald Trump's appeal has sparked protests from UEFA, Belgium, and the European Commission. Yet many point to Lionel Messi's similar, unpunished challenge as evidence of football's inconsistent disciplinary standards. The post Outrage Erupts as FIFA Clears Balogun Red Card Ban — But Is It Justified? appeared first on Hungarian Conservative.

Can Donald Trump Intervene to Overturn Controversial Folarin Balogun Red Card?

Team USA soccer fans are irate over Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card in the United States’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1 in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup. And with no formal appeals process for the red card, some are hoping to take the issue all the way []