A major controversy erupted at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. President Donald Trump personally requested FIFA to review a red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The card had ruled Balogun out of the crucial round-of-16 match against Belgium. Following Trump’s appeal, FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee suspended the one-match ban, allowing Balogun to play.

The decision triggered widespread debate across global football. UEFA accused FIFA of crossing a line, warning that such actions could undermine the sport’s disciplinary integrity. Belgium’s football authorities also appealed against Balogun’s eligibility, but their challenge was rejected. FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted that all disciplinary decisions were made independently and denied any political influence, while Trump maintained he had only sought a fair review.

The incident has ignited discussions worldwide about political interference in sports, with some viewing Trump’s move as a call for fairness and others as a dangerous precedent. The term “Trump card” has since become a symbol of the controversy dominating the 2026 World Cup.