Many journalists and political commentators have expressed concern regarding President Donald Trump's involvement with FIFA related to USA World Cup player Folarin Balogun ahead of the match against Belgium. Balogun received a red card during a previous game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to a suspension after a VAR review. Following this, a source reported that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident. On Sunday, FIFA announced that the suspension was overturned.
Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani reportedly assembled a legal team to contest the use of slow-motion replay in Balogun's case. Infantino stated that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently and make decisions based on regulations and facts. Despite this, media coverage intensified, with various commentators expressing their views.
Jon Lemire from 'Morning Joe' noted concerns about potential negative repercussions for the U.S. team. Washington Post columnist Kate Andrews remarked on the unpredictability of soccer, emphasizing that disappointment is part of the game. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann questioned the integrity of the World Cup, while New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof expressed fears that the situation could be perceived as favoritism.
ABC News contributor Donna Brazile criticized the involvement of the White House in the matter, while others highlighted the irony of Balogun's citizenship status. Trump later stated that he did not instruct FIFA on how to handle the situation and believed the red card was not warranted. A win for the U.S. on Monday would advance the team to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.