Explosive allegation! Infantino and Trump exposed
One phone call has returned one of the 2026 World Cup's biggest controversies to the spotlight.
Details: According to the New York Post, citing four FIFA insiders, Gianni Infantino allegedly told Donald Trump that he would take care of the situation surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card. The USA striker had been sent off in the 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina and was facing an automatic one-match suspension that would have ruled him out against Belgium. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee later suspended the implementation of that ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing Balogun to play in the Round of 16.
The newspaper's new report alleges that Infantino personally assured Trump that he would handle the issue and that the subsequent decision to suspend the sanction breached FIFA's disciplinary rules. The claim has renewed questions over whether political influence played any role in a decision that had already caused a major backlash during the tournament.
FIFA publicly defended the ruling at the time. The organisation said its Disciplinary Committee acted independently and relied on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which gives the judicial body discretion to suspend the implementation of disciplinary measures. Infantino also said in July that he had explained to Trump that the case was being handled through FIFA's disciplinary process.
It is worth noting that Balogun had scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup before the Belgium match. He was ultimately allowed to play in the Round of 16, but the United States were eliminated after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
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Steven Perez
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