USMNT striker Folarin Balogun was one of the most talked-about players at the 2026 World Cup after FIFA suspended his red card, incurred in a stirring Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to intervene and overturn the decision ahead of Team USA’s Round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.
Boomer Esiason Blasts Donald Trump’s Involvement in Folarin Balogun Saga
During Tuesday’s segment of the “Boomer & Gio” show, former NFL MVP Boomer Esiason was livid with the president for getting involved in the decision to rescind Balogun’s suspension.
“This is the thing that I don’t like because this is corruption,” Esiason said. “This is the stuff that leads to people not trusting anybody. And I hate the politics side of all of this but we know that politics are involved in everything. And I do hate the fact that the president ended up calling in a favor, but highlighting the fact that we feel like our guy was mistreated when Lionel Messi was not treated the same way in a previous game.
“Or Cristiano Ronaldo was supposed to be suspended, but all of a sudden, his suspension went away. So, this goes on back and forth. It’s country pride, it’s international pride. It’s FIFA that is considered as corrupt a group of people as you can ever expect to be corrupt in this arena of international sport. I hate the fact that the president got himself involved in this.”
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Ultimately, Balogun’s presence did not make a difference as Belgium tore Team USA apart in their Round of 16 game, winning 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face Spain.
“I hate the fact that the president got himself involved in this” – Boomer Esiason on Donald Trump intervening with Folarin Balogun’s red card pic.twitter.com/4yJlEvc67O
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 7, 2026
According to a statement released by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, they applied Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, which allowed ‘the discretionary suspension of disciplinary measures’ and did not bow to any external pressure.
During his postgame news conference after defeating Team USA, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia revealed that he had a conversation with Balogun over the controversy of his inclusion.
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“He came to talk to me. I really liked that,” Garcia said via a translator. “It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame. That’s what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
Balogun finished the World Cup as Team USA’s highest goalscorer with three goals scored in four games played.
