USA fans, Mamdani, experts react to FIFA-Trump-Balogun red card controversy

Published 6 July 2026 · sports

USA supporters divided on Trump’s intervention and FIFA’s decision to suspend striker’s ban in Belgium World Cup match. FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban

USA supporters divided on Trump’s intervention and FIFA’s decision to suspend striker’s ban in Belgium World Cup match. FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban on USA’s Folarin Balogun, allowing the team’s leading goal scorer to play in their crucial last-16 World Cup match against Belgium, has stirred controversy hours ahead of the game. The row and ensuing uproar deepened on Monday when US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had asked FIFA to review its decision against Balogun, with world football’s governing body ultimately making a U-turn on the player’s suspension from the crucial fixture. Was FIFA’s decision the result of an unfair power move from Trump, or was it a warranted correction to a red card that should not have been issued in the first place? It depends on who you ask. Football fans of the cohost nation appear to be divided on the controversy. While there is near consensus that the red card Balogun received against Bosnia and Herzegovina was harsh, not everyone agrees with Trump’s intervention. “I think it’s bull****,” Cesar Espino, who was watching the Spain vs Portugal round-of-16 match at a pub near downtown Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera hours ahead of kickoff in the USA vs Belgium game. “I feel like if you win, it’s a stain, because Balogun is one of our top players.” He added that the decision will make the USA “more unlikeable”, adding to the list of controversies for the host nation, including travel bans and the restrictions against the Iranian team during the group stage.

But 23-year-old Oscar Ramirez argued that the issue is more nuanced than the USA gaining an unfair advantage “because of the nature of the red card”. “I think most people, including myself, believe the red card was unfair; it was unjust,” Ramirez said. “I think you’ll have some people who will be like, we should keep the rules no matter what. And you’ll have some people who will be like, that card shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” The USA fan admitted jokingly that he is biased, so he supports the decision. “I’m American, and I want our best chances. And without him, we don’t have a good chance,” Ramirez said. FIFA responds Balogun, the USA’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals, received the red card for a studs-up contact near the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic. The USA striker was looking at the ball, so the incident appeared unintentional. Nonetheless, Balogun was sent off after an onfield VAR review, triggering an at least one-match suspension. A FIFA board subsequently suspended the penalty without providing an explanation. Trump, who enjoys close relations with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, confirmed on Monday that he requested a review of the suspension. “All I did – I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said. He also suggested that the US conducted research on the referee who issued the card, calling the official “very suspect”.