FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement on July 6, 2026, addressing his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the one-game suspension of USA World Cup player Folarin Balogun. Infantino stated that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently and that decisions are made based on regulations and specific facts. He acknowledged receiving calls from various officials, including Trump, regarding FIFA matters. Infantino emphasized the importance of respecting the autonomy of FIFA's judicial processes, regardless of personal opinions on decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee.
Balogun received a red card during a match after a VAR review, but FIFA later decided to suspend the one-game ban. Trump commented on the situation, expressing his belief that the incident did not constitute a foul and that it was important for top players to participate in the championship. He criticized the referee's decision and stated that the integrity of the competition relies on having the best players available.
Belgium's appeal regarding the suspension was dismissed later that day.