Trump Reveals Details of Call with FIFA President; American Fans Furious, Blame Trump for Loss

US President Donald Trump released details of his conversation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding the red card given to American player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Balogun had received a one-match ban following a foul during the US win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. But after Trump’s call, FIFA suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday, July 6.
“I just asked for a review,” Trump said. “I didn’t say you have to do this.” He described the foul as simply “two guys running full speed” who collided, adding that the final decision was made by an independent committee. Infantino also addressed the call, saying he often speaks with world leaders about the World Cup, and that FIFA’s disciplinary committee makes its own decisions, which he doesn’t always agree with.
Despite Balogun playing, the US lost to Belgium 4-1 and is now out of the World Cup. Co-hosts Canada and Mexico have also been eliminated, losing to Morocco and England respectively.
‘The Trump Curse’: Fans Blame the President for the Loss
Following the defeat, many American fans blamed Trump, dubbing it “The Trump Curse.” Before the match, Trump had said that if the US lost, he would call the result “rigged,” echoing his claims about the 2020 election. On social media, fans pointed to other sporting events Trump had attended where American teams lost — including the Super Bowl, an NBA Finals game, and the Ryder Cup. Critics argued that Trump’s intervention in the Balogun decision was unfair to Belgium, while some supporters defended him and blamed other public figures for past losses.
Belgian Players Mock Trump’s Dance After Win
Belgium’s players celebrated their victory in a pointed way — after Romelu Lukaku scored Belgium’s fourth goal, players mimicked Trump’s signature dance moves. Belgium’s official social media account also posted a photo captioned “Overturn this,” mocking the FIFA decision widely seen as influenced by Trump’s call.
Belgium had opposed Balogun’s eligibility to play and challenged it before the match, but FIFA rejected the appeal. On the field, Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken added a goal after a goalkeeping error, and Lukaku scored in the match’s final moments. Malik Tillman scored the US’s lone goal. Belgium now advances to the quarterfinals, where it will face Spain.