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‘I didn’t know what a red card was’ – Trump reacts to Balogun’s World Cup controversy
06th July, 2026 07:30 PM
US President Donald Trump has left the football world talking after admitting he had no idea what a red card was before American striker Folarin Balogun was shown one on July 1, 2026.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on July 6, 2026, Trump confirmed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to complain about the controversial sending-off during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Following the high-profile call, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended Balogun’s mandatory one-match ban. This intervention cleared the three-goal star to play against Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026, a move that has left football fans worldwide completely stunned.
Total confusion over the rules
Trump was very open about his lack of football knowledge before the drama unfolded on the pitch. “I didn’t know what the hell a red card was,” Trump told the press gathered at the White House. The American leader explained that the severity of the rule caught him completely off guard, adding, “When I found out, I said, ‘You got to be kidding.'”
He insisted his phone call to the game’s governing body was strictly about ensuring fair play for his team. “I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” he explained.
Trump defended Balogun’s tackle on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic, describing the collision as a harmless accident. According to him, the incident merely involved “two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled” rather than any malicious intent.
Slapping down a horrible call
Trump did not hide his frustration with Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, heavily criticising the power given to match officials. “I think the referee’s call was horrible,” Trump stated bluntly.
He expressed deep concern over how easily a single whistle-blower could sideline a top performer, saying, “I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.'”
The US head of state argued that global tournaments deserve to have the best players on display to keep the competition exciting. He compared Balogun’s situation to sidelining football icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Harry Kane over minor field collisions.
Trump warned that locking the striker out of the crucial knockout stages would have ruined the spirit of the entire tournament. “If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible championship,” Trump concluded.
