The USMNT could face disqualification from the 2026 World Cup due to government interference after Donald Trump declared, “I got them to do it” amid global controversy as FIFA decided to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban vs Belgium.
Debate continues to grow 24 hours after FIFA announced Balogun will not be suspended for the round of 16 clash with Belgium.
This decision has left the Belgian FA furious, after the USA’s top goalscorer in the tournament was shown a straight red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
What Donald Trump said about Balogun controversy
Speaking on Monday, Trump said: ”Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man [Infantino] who is highly respected. I’m the one who got them to do it, not Biden. Biden was asleep.”
He added: “I think it [the suspension] would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
The American president seems fairly convinced he was a driving force behind Gianni Infantino’s decision which could land the national side in hot water according to FIFA rules.
Article 2 is there to “promote football globally and ensure its integrity”, meanwhile, Article 15 states: “Stakeholders [must] agree to respect the Laws of the Game, fair play, and the ethics and disciplinary regulations of FIFA.”
Their is an argument that the Commander-in-Chief openly admitting to asking FIFA to review Balogun’s ban does contradict these rules. However unlikely disqualification is, the whole scenario raises serious questions about fairness and corruption.
The USMNT face Belgium in Seattle with a place in the quarter-finals in their sights.
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