U.S. World Cup star’s suspension lifted after Trump’s call to FIFA president
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-06 17:45:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump’s World Cup Intervention Sparks Global Outrage and Highlights Birthright Citizenship Irony
President Trump has acknowledged intervening in the controversial reversal of a red card suspension for U.S. soccer star Flo Balogun ahead of the World Cup match against Belgium, a move that has triggered international backlash and renewed scrutiny of Trump’s stance on birthright citizenship.
Trump’s Direct Involvement
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described his role in the decision, stating he watched the play in question and believed it was not a foul, but rather “two great athletes that got tangled up.” He called Balogun “a very vital player” and said he thought the red card was “very unfair.” Trump confirmed he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, relaying his feelings about the incident: “I think it would have had a big stain. And I relayed just that feeling. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do, but — and I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision. And they made the right decision.”
Within 90 minutes of Trump’s comments, FIFA issued a statement emphasizing the independence of its judicial process, with Infantino asserting that the case was handled by “competent bodies” and defending the organization’s autonomy.
International Fallout and Unprecedented Action
Soccer experts and officials have noted the extraordinary nature of the intervention. As ESPN and The Guardian’s Leander Schaerlaeckens explained, red card suspensions are typically automatic and rarely reversed mid-tournament. The last comparable incident occurred in 1962, and recent precedent involving Cristiano Ronaldo also drew controversy. The decision to allow Balogun to play has left the Belgian team and much of the soccer world outraged, with appeals from Belgium swiftly rejected by FIFA.
Birthright Citizenship Contradiction
Adding to the controversy is the irony that Trump’s intervention benefited a player whose eligibility for Team USA is based on birthright citizenship—a policy Trump has repeatedly sought to overturn. Balogun, born in the U.S. to a Nigerian mother who was visiting while pregnant, can play for the U.S. only because of this constitutional right. Trump has not addressed this contradiction, despite having issued an executive order to challenge birthright citizenship on his first day back in office, a move the Supreme Court recently ruled against. Trump expressed disappointment in that decision and has indicated he still wants to challenge the policy.
Conclusion
Trump’s direct involvement in the World Cup controversy has not only upended established sporting norms but also exposed the contradictions in his immigration policy. As global criticism mounts and questions about fairness linger, Trump’s actions continue to reverberate far beyond the pitch, casting a shadow over both the tournament and his own political positions.