As two true blue classics were playing out in the Round of 16 on Sunday night, the spotlight shifted from England Vs. Mexico and Brazil Vs. Norway to President Donald Trump’s calls with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
With the United States Men’s National Team left without their star talisman, Folarin Balogun, for their knockout game against Belgium, President Trump decided to intervene to ensure his nation wouldn’t be short on firepower in the Round of 16.
However, that decision has not gone down well with Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter, who raised an issue with how FIFA managed Balogun’s red card.
Sepp Blatter Blasts Political Interference After President Trump’s Call on Folarin Balogun’s Red Card
Per multiple reports, President Trump reached out to Infantino to submit “a body of work” to exonerate Balogun’s conduct in light of the red card. That evidence was reportedly submitted by U.S. Soccer to FIFA as they pondered a decision on Balogun.
After President Trump stepped in, FIFA decided to suspend Balogun’s red card, which means he is now available to take the field when the USMNT take on Belgium in Seattle later tonight.
Infantino’s predecessor, Sepp Blatter, took to social media to raise his objections over how the whole thing played out.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote. “They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.”
USA-USA-USA 🦅 https://t.co/yKnJxew9tU pic.twitter.com/75KmExgrUJ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 5, 2026
Balogun has three goals at this World Cup, making him the USMNT’s top scorer.
FIFA’s decision to annul Balogun’s red card blazed the path for outrage to follow as fans and former athletes questioned why the American striker was being given preferential treatment.
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UEFA also called FIFA’s decision into question by releasing a statement saying, “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.
“Equally, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, took a softer tone in his remarks, calling it a big boost for the USMNT’s chances against a surging Belgium side.
KEEP READING: ‘That’s Crazy’: Jurgen Klopp Hits Out at President Donald Trump’s Intervention in Folarin Balogun’s Red Card
Per Fotmob, Belgium haven’t lost in their last 17 encounters against the USMNT, winning the last four games by a combined 12-5 margin. Their last meeting was three months ago and ended in a 5-2 win for Belgium.
This time around, the two sides will face off at Lumen Field in Seattle. Kickoff is set for Monday, July 6, at 8 pm Eastern.
