FIFA faces criticism after U.S. player’s suspension lifted amid Trump involvement

FIFA announced on Sunday that the one-game suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun would be lifted for the group-stage match against Belgium. The decision came after reports that President Donald Trump and members of his administration had contacted FIFA officials on Balogen’s behalf.

"I did (call Infantino), I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump said in a press briefing, adding that he did not tell the FIFA president how to act.

European football associations reacted strongly. Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia said his team was defending the sport’s “integrity and ethics.” UEFA described the ruling as “unprecedented and unjustifiable,” while the Swiss Football Association called it “incomprehensible.” The Norwegian Football Association warned that the case raised concerns about “the integrity of the competition, political interference in sporting matters, and the credibility of football.”

FIFA responded that its judicial bodies operate independently and expressed confidence in referee Raphael Claus, who made the original foul-play call. The organization later cited chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina’s “full confidence” in the referee’s professionalism.

The controversy unfolded as the United States suffered a 1-0 defeat to Belgium, a result that eased pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has faced scrutiny over his relationships with political leaders. The tournament has also drawn attention to broader issues, including ticket pricing, labor conditions for World Cup infrastructure, and the upcoming 2030 and 2034 hosting bids.

European federations continue to monitor the situation, and Belgium’s football federation indicated it considered legal recourse before ultimately deciding to let the match proceed.