Donald Trump hailed FIFA President Gianni Infantino for helping to lift US player Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, a decision that drew criticism from football fans. Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina; a decision would see him miss out on his side's Round of 16 game against Belgium.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak at a FIFA reception event. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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But the US President reached out to Infantino, asking to review the decision. FIFA overturned the suspension, allowing Balongun to participate in the match. Even though the Belgian FA and UEFA protested the decision, Balogun was allowed to play, but couldn't prevent a defeat for the US.
‘It’s so much better the way it worked out’: Donald Trump
At a FIFA reception event in New York, Trump praised Infantino while standing next to him. "Gianni made yet another of his many good decisions," he said.
Trump claimed that FIFA made the right decision, as it would have sparked controversy if the US had lost without Balogun.
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"It’s so much better the way it worked out, because there’s no controversy. They won the game, and our team had all of its players," he said.
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"It’s so much better the way it worked out, because there’s no controversy. They won the game, and our team had all of its players," he said.
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"You made another great decision. If you think about, I know you’ll never get credit.
"Think of it. If he didn’t allow him, and they lost, they’d say we would have won the game if we had our best player."
After his country's exit from the World Cup, Balogun spoke about the incident in an interview with CBS Mornings.
"My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team. But when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy," he said.
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"I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it was something that’s so unique.
"But the closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could. But it was difficult – a lot of outside noise, and that’s hard to avoid.”
Balogun also revealed that he learned about the decision on the team bus. "It was confusing as the team was practising without me in the team. I almost played a supporting role to keep the morale," he said.
"When we found out on the team bus, everyone was screaming and shouting. It was a pretty intense bus ride to the practice field," he added.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/Donald Trump reminds fans how his Gianni Infantino talk led to Folarin Balogun's controversial red card reversal
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