Trump asks FIFA to reverse red card suspension for American footballer
President Donald Trump recounts his direct involvement in urging FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a controversial red card issued to an American player. Trump criticizes referee’s ‘horrible’ decision, saying it’s unfair to send off a top player for a collision. It celebrates FIFA’s “brilliant decision” to overturn the ban, ensuring the best players can take part in this highly successful World Cup.
NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup finals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino first said last month on “Fox & Friends” that Trump would attend the contest, but it’s now official.
Leavitt said Trump’s presence would be “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that demonstrated America’s ability to welcome the world to the biggest stage.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with US President Donald Trump as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Infantino said he and Trump would present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the captain of the winning team on the field.
“We will be with the president to enjoy the final and hand over the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
Trump and Infantino did the same last year for the FIFA Club World Cup final, also at the New Jersey Stadium, when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. This appearance took place a year after an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania.
The president took part in the trophy presentation and presented awards to players and referees after Chelsea’s victory. Trump remained on stage during the celebration, causing some confusion.
“I knew he would be there, but I didn’t know he would be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused,” said Chelsea’s Cole Palmer after the match.
Trump got involved in one of the biggest controversies of the World Cup, calling out Infantino and demanding a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was quickly suspended for Team USA’s round of 16 play, but was later deemed eligible for the match.
President Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, pose for a selfie with Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the official drawing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, December 5, 2025. (Hector Vivas/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
TRINITY RODMAN SAYS RECORD-BREAKING NWSL GAME IN NY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLAYED IN BAD AIR
“All I did was ask for a review, because I didn’t think it was wrong,” Trump said. “And again, I’m good at that kind of thing. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes crashing and getting tangled. It wasn’t a guy punching someone in the face or anything, that would be different.
“I think it’s terrible…if they hadn’t allowed a top player, maybe the best, maybe one of the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.”
Balogun admitted to CBS that he “could almost see in my teammates a little bit of nervousness” as the controversy intensified.
Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. men’s national team’s opening match against Paraguay, a 4-1 victory, on June 12.
The president received the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, during the final draw for the World Cup in December.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Jia Haocheng – Piscine/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House hosted UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, DC next month.
