World Cup 2026: USA President Donald Trump says he called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to have Folarin Balogun's red-card ban reviewed ahead of Belgium tie

President Donald Trump says he asked FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to "review" Folarin Balogun's red card and World Cup ban, which has since been suspended, allowing the USA striker to play in the last-16 tie with Belgium.

FIFA president Infantino has subsequently defended the independence of FIFA's disciplinary committee.

The Belgian FA said they were "astonished" by the decision to suspend Balogun's ban for a year, freeing him up to feature in Seattle when the teams meet at 1am UK time on Tuesday.

However, FIFA has rejected their attempts to appeal the call, saying: "The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the (Belgian FA) is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision".

The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee's team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.

On Monday, UEFA said FIFA had "crossed a red line" and had put the "integrity of the game at stake" in allowing Balogun to play against Belgium.

Balogun, who has scored three times at this World Cup, was sent off after scoring the opener in USA's last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, when he caught Tarik Muharemovic with his studs in a challenge. A red card automatically incurs a ban for the next World Cup game.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said: "I saw the play… that wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction, that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other.

"You can't take your foot and properly place it on somebody else's foot. These were two great athletes that got tangled up.

"This referee [Raphael Claus], who is a little bit suspect, if you check his past, he made a call that nobody could believe.

"He [Balogun] didn't do anything wrong and he's our best player, or one of our best players… and [the referee] gave him a red card.

"It's very unfair, you can't do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who's highly respected [Infantino] and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold."

Trump didn't give examples to back up his comment on the referee. Claus was cleared by a Brazil Football Confederation investigation into match fixing after accusations by Botafogo in 2023.

Infantino has issued a defence of the governing body's disciplinary committee, insisting it is independent, despite confirming Trump called him about overturning Balogun's ban.

In a statement, Infantino said: "I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA's governance.

"FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

"Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues.

"During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."