The California Democrat who says he ‘won’t cheer FIFA’s capitulation to power’
Politics — 2026-07-06 20:05:00 — www.politico.com
Trump Pressed FIFA to Review Red Card, Then Downplayed Influence After U.S. Star Reinstated
President Donald Trump confirmed that he asked FIFA to review the controversial red card issued to U.S. national team striker Folarin Balogun, a move that drew criticism from both domestic and international officials. The world soccer organization ultimately suspended the penalty, allowing Balogun—America’s leading scorer—to play in the high-stakes knockout round match against Belgium.
FIFA has repeatedly asserted that Trump’s intervention had no impact on its decision, and Trump himself said the same today, while acknowledging that he had requested another look at the play.
Unprecedented Intervention
The situation is notable because, according to Sam Liccardo, a Democratic representative from Silicon Valley, FIFA had not allowed a player to appear in a World Cup match immediately after receiving a red card since 1962. Liccardo and others expressed concern that the involvement of a head of state in what should be an apolitical international sporting event sets a troubling precedent.
Liccardo described the episode as a “corruption summit between FIFA and Donald Trump,” highlighting widespread discomfort with the perception of political pressure influencing the outcome. While Liccardo agreed that Balogun’s initial red card was unfair, he argued that the reversal—following Trump’s intervention—undermined the integrity of the sport.
Fact-Check: Trump’s Role and FIFA’s Response
FIFA and Trump both denied that the president’s request directly affected the outcome. However, the fact that Trump confirmed his involvement, paired with FIFA’s subsequent reversal of a long-standing policy, has fueled skepticism among observers and officials.
Conclusion
Trump’s direct appeal to FIFA and subsequent denial of influence underscores ongoing concerns about political interference in international sports. While the U.S. team benefited from the decision, critics warn that such interventions risk eroding trust in the fairness and independence of global competitions. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping politics out of sports, a principle that many believe was compromised in this case.