Excited but Shocked': U.S. Soccer Fans Struggle With Trump's FIFA Call

Excited but Shocked’: U.S. soccer fans grapple with perceptions of fairness after President Trump’s FIFA call that helped overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension. Trump placed a call to FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, after Balogun received a red card in the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and was suspended for the round of 16 against Belgium. Balogun, who scored three goals in the tournament, was reinstated in time for the Monday match in Belgium. Reactions among Americans ranged from support—some citing examples of reversed calls in youth leagues—to concern that presidential involvement tainted the process. Fans and commentators in locations including Seattle, Milwaukee, and Georgia also debated whether the red card decision should have been reversed versus kept, raising broader concerns about political influence.