Trump’s Red-Card Intervention Hurts the US World Cup

Published: 06 July 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The history of Garrincha’s famous red card in the 1962 World Cup remains a storied legend. The Brazilian star was dismissed in the semifinals for lashing out at his opponent then. However, Fifa had no automatic one-match suspension rule in place during that specific period. A disciplinary committee convened the next day to determine his fate for the grand final. As the story goes, the assistant referee with the best view was paid off. The president of Chile also called Fifa to prevent any additional game suspension. He wanted to keep the tournament’s most entertaining player on the field for fans. Garrincha emerged scot-free, and Brazil won their second World Cup title days later.

It is a far-fetched tale that feels ancient, yet Sunday brought news echoing those days. Ahead of the US men’s national team match against Belgium, Donald Trump made calls. He contacted Gianni Infantino while the US Soccer Federation sought to suspend a ban. This was the one-match suspension issued to star US striker Folarin Balogun recently. Balogun was sent off during the US victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. He had inadvertently stomped on the ankle of an opponent while vying for the ball. The red card was widely considered dubious and has been debated to death already.

The general consensus was that the US team suffered from that harsh call. The referee made that decision only after a thorough video review of the play. Balogun, head coach Mauricio Pochettino, and many others expressed deep anger and disappointment. They seemed to accept the suspension initially, despite the obvious frustration of the players. US fans were outraged but eventually resigned themselves to facing Belgium without their striker. This was right around the time Trump inserted himself into the ongoing soccer situation. US Soccer had been lobbying, and soon, the ban was suspended until after today.

Fifa had done the same with several players who earned suspensions before the tournament. However, doing so during the World Cup itself is completely without any past precedent. What followed has been a strange mix of genuine elation and intense public outrage. Many US fans are pleased by the development, as is head coach Mauricio Pochettino. He said as much on Sunday regarding his star player returning to the pitch. Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia was incensed, telling reporters he felt quite confused. He told the press he was unaware that April Fools’ Day falls in July. The Belgian federation stated it is currently reviewing its various legal options now.

Fifa, of course, has its own explanation, though it offers very little insight. It simply points to the article in its bylaws that allows for this decision. Fifa officials took a similar approach when asked by media about the phone calls. They insisted that the nature of their disciplinary process makes such intervention impossible. Asking any of us to believe that Fifa is not influenced by Trump is absurd. It is like asking us to believe that Trump received awards on merit. Infantino’s relationship with Trump has long been a cozy and very mutually beneficial one.

Trump gets the sycophantic praise and attention he constantly thrives on these days. Infantino gets the keys to the biggest commercial market in the world for profits. What Trump does not realize is that he has done American soccer no favors. By putting his thumb on the scales, he has created a massive controversy. The USMNT arrived at their current station in the tournament on their merits. They rode three exceptional performances and one average one to the last sixteen stage. Balogun has been arguably the best player for the US throughout that run.

Yet, even without the Monaco striker, many pundits pegged the US to win. The perception that the US has been handed an unfair advantage taints their advancement. This is true in the States but even more so globally for the team. Trump has become the latest in a line of figures perceived as demanding favors. It is unfortunate for the American public, who take pride in their national team. Many have raged against the assertion that their home country is a footballing backwater. The US has done tremendously at this World Cup to prove that notion wrong.

However, a win on Monday may now be perceived as one engineered by Fifa. Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken seems to agree that a victory carries an asterisk. He told reporters after his side’s victory over Brazil on Sunday his thoughts. He thinks that it is a big mistake made by the governing body. He called it a bad decision that is not good for the sport. Trump’s involvement also mars what has been a successful World Cup to date. There was much made in the run-up about a host of local issues.

There were concerns about ticket prices, visa issues, and logistical and infrastructure problems. Some even feared the presence of immigration agents at the various football matches. Some were calling for the tournament to be hosted in another location entirely. While some of those issues came to bear, the overall perception remains positive. Now, Trump has done the most American thing possible: asserting his own influence. On Sunday, he welcomed the news of Balogun’s reprieve on his social media. He took to his Truth Social account to thank Fifa for the reversal. What he may not realize is that he has inflicted an injustice of his own. This specific injustice may prove much more difficult for the team to reverse now.

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