Jul 05, 2026

World Cup: U.S. star now eligible Monday after White House calls FIFA

Posted Jul 05, 2026 9:00 PM
File photo Folarin Balogun photo USMNT
File photo Folarin Balogun photo USMNT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House made a call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The person did not have details to share about who specifically made the call and when.

File photo President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a White House meeting in 2025
File photo President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a White House meeting in 2025

Trump celebrated the red card reversal shortly after it was announced, posting on his social media network “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”