WATCH: Trump praises ‘really great decision’ on Balogun red card after he calls FIFA’s Infantino

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for convincing FIFA to review the red card issued to American star Folarin Balogun at the World Cup but said he did not demand a result.

Watch the clip in the video player above.

“All I did was ask for the review,” Trump said when asked about it during an unrelated Oval Office event. “I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’

Read more: What to know after FIFA lifts the ban on American star Folarin Balogun

Trump confirmed that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked to take a second look at the punishment against Balogun in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco. But he said FIFA had made the final decision to lift Balogun’s mandatory one-match ban for the foul, allowing him to play in Monday’s round of 16 match with Belgium in Seattle.

FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban was celebrated by many in the United States, but it sparked condemnation in the international sports world, with some calling it scandalous interference. The Belgian Football Association is appealing Balogun’s eligibility to play Monday’s match, and UEFA in Europe described FIFA’s move as “incomprehensible and unjustified.”

Trump criticizes the referee’s red card

In remarks Monday, Trump called the ruling “terrible.” He added that it would have been a disgrace to the tournament if Balogun, the top scorer for the United States in this year’s World Cup with three goals, tied against Belgium and the United States lost. He praised FIFA for taking what he described as a wonderful decision to suspend the punishment.

“I don’t think it was a mistake,” Trump said. “I thought two great athletes bumped into each other and tangled.”

The Republican president, who said he understood the sport “very well”, admitted that he did not initially know what a red card was or what consequences it brought. He said that when he learned that would result in a one-match suspension for Balogun, he decided to intervene. He also objected to the use of video review to issue the red card, arguing that slow reviews could make plays appear more aggressive.

Read more: Infantino says he told Trump that Balogun’s red card would be determined by independent bodies

“Belgium has a great team,” Trump said. “We have to have the best players, and they have to give their best. Whether we win or lose, it’s fair.”

FIFA president defends decision-making process

Shortly after Trump addressed the controversy, Infantino issued a statement detailing his call with Trump and defending the independence of FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

Infantino said in a statement on Channel

Read more: FIFA questioned both Trump and Infantino to defend the proceedings surrounding the ruling allowing Balogun to play in the USA match.

Trump’s Oval Office event focused on new investment accounts for U.S. children and immediately sought to draw attention away from the World Cup controversy. “They don’t want to know anything about football,” he said of the reporters gathered in the Oval Office. “Fortunately, they won’t ask any questions about that. Nobody cares, right?”

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who joined Trump at the event, once again turned attention to the red card. Cruz said during his remarks: “On behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card.” “It was amazing.”

When asked about the extent of his role, Trump said he presented his case to Infantino, but “I didn’t tell him what to do; I can’t tell him what to do.”

Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that the right decision was to lift Balogun’s sentence.

In rare comments during a photo op ahead of his meeting with Chile’s foreign minister, Rubio questioned why Belgium wanted to win a game “if everyone is going to argue that you didn’t really win it because their top scorer or top scorer wasn’t on the pitch.”

He joked that the matter had become an “international incident” before the NATO summit in Türkiye this week.

How did Balogun get the red card?

Balogun was fouled after he placed his studded foot on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharimovic during the round of 32 match. Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus did not initially show the red card, but a slow review resulted in him being shown the red card.

Folarin Balogun of the United States fouls Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tariq Muharimovic before receiving a red card at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. Photo by Pedro Nunes/Reuters

Balogun later said he believed a yellow card and official warning would be fair.

FIFA’s decision sparked swift criticism on Sunday from Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, who said the decision seemed like an April Fools’ Day joke. Meanwhile, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA’s move, saying his team had been punished enough with Balogun losing the remainder of last week’s match.

Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharimovic reacts after sustaining an injury following a foul by Folarin Balogun of the United States at a San Francisco Bay Area stadium, Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. Photo by Pedro Nunes/Reuters

As the on-field drama unfolded last week, it was immediately clear from the perspective of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House FIFA Task Force Chairman Andrew Giuliani, and Trump administration officials that the process used to issue the red card to Balogun was improper.

Discussions about the red card and what to do about it dominated the flight back from Santa Clara to Washington. The consensus among the group, according to a senior US official familiar with the talks, was simply: slow-motion replay was not appropriate, so shouldn’t we overturn the red card?

Fans gathered at Mission Beach in San Diego react after Folarin Balogun received a red card. Photography by Mike Blake/Reuters

The next day, Trump officials continued to research the rules, consult lawyers, and speak with the NFL about the matter, according to the official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Trump was also given the updates as he prepared to speak with Infantino, with whom the US president has spoken several times a week since the start of the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, on June 11.

Kim reported from Ankara, Türkiye. Associated Press photographer Manny Sinita contributed from Washington.