2026 World Cup: "I always respect the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee" (G. Infantino, FIFA)

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them," Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said regarding the Balogun case on 6 July 2026.

United States forward Folarin Balogun was sent off with a straight red card for stamping on an opponent’s ankle during the United States-Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-0, San Francisco, 2 July 2026 CET) Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup.

He was due to serve a one-match suspension in the Round of 16 against Belgium on 7 July 2026 CET. However, the implementation of that suspension was subsequently suspended by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for a probationary period of one year pursuant to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Donald Trump, president of the United States, publicly confirmed that he had called Gianni Infantino to intervene in favour of lifting the suspension. The US head of state later welcomed the FIFA decision on…