Trump brags about overturning US striker Balogun's red card at FIFA reception, recycles 2020 election falsehoods

The appearance, held on Friday evening in the atrium of Trump Tower in Manhattan, was choreographed as a celebration of the 2026 World Cup. Neither man took questions. The event opened with Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless The U.S.A.' and closed with the Village People's 'Y.M.C.A.' while Infantino thanked Trump for making 'the American dream come true' and called the tournament 'the greatest human social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.'

You told me America would welcome the world and you did welcome the world.

The Balogun red card and Trump's phone call

Trump singled out the red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun during the group-stage match against Bosnia on 1 July. Balogun received an automatic one-match ban for a stamp reviewed by VAR, which would have kept him out of the last-16 contest versus Belgium. Trump said he was 'forced to call Gianni and just make a recommendation,' first describing it as a complaint, then joking he had told Infantino to 'let the guy in the game.'

I said, Gianni, I'd like to make a recommendation. Let the guy in the game. No, I didn't say that. I said, I'd like to wage a complaint.

FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee suspended the ban on 6 July, allowing Balogun to play. The US lost the match 4–1. Trump characterised the outcome as a net positive, stating there was 'no controversy' because Belgium won and the US fielded its full squad.

Gianni made yet another of his many good decisions.

International backlash and FIFA's defence

The reversal provoked sharp criticism. The European Union of Football Associations condemned FIFA’s move as 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.' Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he initially thought the decision was a joke, and the Belgian federation said it would investigate 'all potential options.' Geopolitics expert Cyrus Janssen, writing on X, called it a lose-lose for Team USA, arguing any victory would be tainted by claims of presidential cheating. Infantino’s office released a statement on 6 July insisting the disciplinary committee acted independently, a defence many football officials rejected.

I thought it was a joke.

2020 election falsehoods and hosting asides

Trump repeatedly returned to his contention that the 2020 election was rigged, echoing a prime-time address he gave on Thursday night. He told the audience he was supposed to be out of office by 2026, linking his current term directly to the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'They rigged the election, and what did I get? I got the World Cup, I got the Olympics,' he said. Infantino stood by silently.

They rigged the election, and what did I get? I got the World Cup, I got the Olympics.

The president also suggested the US should host another World Cup alone. 'This time we will leave Canada and Mexico out,' he said, and added FIFA should 'pick somebody else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.' Infantino later said he had floated a joint US-China bid.

What comes next

The reception came two days before Spain and Argentina contest the final at MetLife Stadium. Trump will attend Sunday's match. FIFA has not scheduled a closing press conference, and Infantino missed a Friday appearance with former England defender Rio Ferdinand that had briefly been listed. FIFA rents office space in Trump Tower, a financial relationship that adds commercial entanglement to the political controversy over Infantino's ties with the president.