Trump admits he asked FIFA to review red card FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal against the decision that revoked the red card given to United States player Folarin Balogun during the North American team's final match at the World Cup. The Belgian football federation had demanded explanations, before the match against the USA this Monday (6) for a place in the quarter-finals. FIFA declared the request inadmissible on the grounds that Belgium is not a party to the process and does not have standing to appeal the decision. ? Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp What Belgium claimed The Belgian federation had stated that it had received "neither FIFA's decision nor any explanation about the case". The Belgians argue that "Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (expulsion) automatically results in suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued during this World Cup." The Belgian football governing body also pointed out that the striker's release directly contradicts Article 10.5 of the 2026 World Cup Regulations, reinforcing that the punishment should be automatic. According to the Belgians, this rule was reaffirmed by FIFA in circulars and official meetings before each match of the tournament. Folarin Balogun of the USA receives a red card from referee Raphael Claus. Phil Noble / Reuters Under the claim of protecting the fundamental principles of "fair play" and the rights of participating teams, the Belgian federation said it is already investigating all potential options in the case. Trump's alleged intervention According to a US official, Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino directly to "better understand the reason" for the red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, last Wednesday (1st). ? After reviewing the move in VAR, referee Raphael Claus sent off Balogun in the 18th minute of the final stage. The striker received a red card for stepping on Muharemovic's ankle. For TV Globo, the source, who spoke anonymously, stated that the US government "provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process", but highlighted that the appeal process is led by an independent board. President of the United States, Donald Trump, and President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, pose for a photo with the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, at the White House. Photo from August 2025. Disclosure/Casa Branca On social media, the North American president congratulated FIFA and said that the body reversed a great injustice. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!", published the president. Donald Trump congratulates FIFA for reversing the red card given to a US striker during the 2026 World Cup. Reproduction During a press conference this Sunday (5), the coach of the North American team, Mauricio Pochettino, celebrated the decision. "We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina by playing with one less for 30 minutes, in a completely unfair decision. And not just because I'm the coach of the United States national team and I need to defend my side. It's because I believe that 99.9% of people agree that that red card was unfair," said the Argentine coach. Folarin Balogun, from the USA, during a game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Phil Noble/Reuters