Infantino confirmed conversation with Trump regarding the cancellation of the red card for Balogun, while FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that he indeed spoke with US President Donald Trump, but regarding the decision to overturn the disqualification of American striker Folarin Balogun, he said the US president did not interfere in the work of FIFA's independent bodies. At the same time, FIFA rejected Belgium's appeal against the decision on Folarin Balogun's disqualification, reports UNN. 

I have reviewed the public comments regarding the decision of the FIFA Independent Disciplinary Committee to disqualify Folarin Balogun and would like to reiterate one of the fundamental principles of FIFA governance. FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They act autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts presented to them 

According to him, judicial independence is extremely important for the authority and integrity of football and must always be respected.

Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the US president, and regarding this case, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, members of the football community, and business leaders from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that a judicial process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies is ongoing and that a decision in this case will be made in due course by the competent bodies. That is how the FIFA system works, and it is a principle I will always uphold 

He added that he would review the Disciplinary Committee's decision immediately after its publication.

Sometimes they surprise me. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I don't. But I always respect these decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. It doesn't matter whether we personally like a particular decision or not. It is respect for independent institutions and the rule of law that always protects the integrity of our competitions and the authority of FIFA 

Context 

US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino after Folarin Balogun's red card. The Disciplinary Committee overturned the disqualification, allowing the player to play in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium.

The Belgian Football Federation stated that they were "stunned" by FIFA's decision and are considering the possibility of appealing it. 

On the evening of July 6, the Belgian Football Federation announced that it had filed an appeal against FIFA's decision but had received a rejection. 

After the KBVB learned through the media of FIFA's decision to overturn the automatic disqualification of player Folarin Balogun, it sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of this decision, an explanation of the procedure, and clarification of its position regarding the applicable rules. The only response the KBVB received was a letter from FIFA stating that this correspondence was considered an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the KBVB had been given only a few hours to complete the appeal. No substantive information was provided. However, FIFA's own rules stipulate that an appeal can only be admissible if a reasoned decision has been communicated to the appellant in advance. Although the KBVB was only requesting legitimate clarifications, FIFA itself turned this request into an appeal, only to immediately ensure that this appeal was deemed inadmissible. At the same time, FIFA refused to respond to the KBVB's entirely legitimate requests for information 

The Federation added that "at this moment, the KBVB has still not received the decision or any explanations from FIFA on this matter. Therefore, it is forced to officially challenge this player's right to participate in the upcoming match." 

Recall

UEFA called FIFA's decision to overturn the disqualification of US national team striker Folarin Balogun before the match against Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup incomprehensible, stating that these actions by the football organization crossed the red lines of football's integrity.