White House representative: Balogun's red card was overturned after Trump's intervention
Andrew Giuliani confirmed that the US government successfully lobbied FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card following a call from Donald Trump.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Author: Official White House Photo
One of the most significant controversies of the 2026 World Cup has been addressed by the US government. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House working group for the tournament, confirmed that the red card issued to US forward Folarin Balogun during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was overturned following a direct intervention by President Donald Trump.
According to Giuliani, President Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino shortly after the incident in the round of 32. The US administration argued that the decision made by referee Rafael Claus was incorrect. Giuliani stated that the government's involvement was intended to ensure fairness in a tournament in which the United States has invested substantial federal funding.
"It is a fact: he was connected to that investigation. He was not the main suspect in that case, but he was connected to it," stated Andrew Giuliani.
The White House also raised concerns regarding the integrity of the Brazilian referee, citing his alleged past involvement in investigations related to match-fixing and suspicious red cards in his home country. The US administration maintains that the decision to reverse the suspension was necessary to guarantee a level playing field ahead of the team's round of 16 match against Belgium.