The tale of Garrincha’s red card during the 1962 World Cup is legendary. The Brazilian icon was dismissed in the semifinals for a reckless act, yet FIFA did not impose an automatic one-match ban at the time. Subsequently, a disciplinary committee met the following day to determine his fate for the final.
According to the narrative, the assistant referee who witnessed the incident vanished after being bribed, and the Chilean president, host of the tournament, contacted FIFA, advocating against any extended suspension to keep one of the event’s most thrilling players in the game. Ultimately, Garrincha avoided punishment, and Brazil secured their second World Cup a few days later.
This anecdote feels outdated, yet recent events remind us how similar circumstances can still occur. Ahead of the US men’s national team’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium, Donald Trump made several calls to Gianni Infantino, as the US Soccer Federation explored options to lift the one-match ban imposed on striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun received a red card during the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, having accidentally stepped on an opponent’s ankle while competing for the ball. The sending-off was controversial, with widespread agreement that the US was unfairly treated by the decision, which followed a video review. Balogun, along with US head coach Mauricio Pochettino and many supporters, voiced their frustration over the incident but seemed willing to accept the suspension. Although US fans were upset, many prepared to face Belgium on Monday without their leading striker.
It was then that Trump became involved. The US Soccer Federation had been lobbying for Balogun’s case, and soon after, FIFA announced that the striker’s one-match ban would be suspended until after the tournament. FIFA had similarly suspended other players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, prior to the tournament, but taking such action during the World Cup is unprecedented.
The aftermath has been a mix of joy and outrage. Many US fans are understandably thrilled with the decision, as is Pochettino, who expressed his satisfaction on Sunday. Conversely, Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia was infuriated, stating he was surprised that April Fools’ Day falls in July. The Belgian federation is now considering its legal options.
FIFA has provided its own rationale, though it lacks detailed clarity. The organization simply refers to a specific article in its bylaws that allows for this kind of decision. When questioned by various media regarding Trump’s alleged involvement, FIFA officials insisted that its disciplinary processes are designed to prevent such interventions from affecting outcomes.
To suggest that FIFA is free from Trump’s influence is absurd. It is akin to claiming that Trump received his “I think that’s a big mistake by Fifa,” purely based on merit. Infantino and Trump have maintained a comfortable relationship, benefiting each other: Trump gains the adoration and attention he seeks, while Infantino secures access to the largest commercial market for FIFA’s lucrative ventures.
What Trump may fail to realize, or perhaps simply disregards, is that his meddling does not benefit American soccer. The USMNT has progressed in the tournament due to their own efforts, showcasing three strong performances alongside one average showing to reach the last 16. Balogun has been a standout player throughout this journey.
Even without the Monaco striker, many analysts and bookmakers viewed the US as likely victors against Belgium. The idea that the US has been granted an unfair edge—truthful in this case—casts a shadow over their potential advancement. This perception resonates in the US and far beyond, where Trump has become emblematic of a historical trend of Americans perceived, rightly or wrongly, as expecting special treatment.
This situation is particularly unfortunate for the American public, many of whom have fought against the stereotype that their country is a footballing backwater or that they lag significantly behind other nations in talent and prestige. The US has performed admirably in this World Cup, making such claims appear ridiculous, yet a victory on Monday might be seen as orchestrated by FIFA.
Norway’s head coach Ståle Solbakken shares the sentiment that a win could carry an asterisk. “Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision. I feel sorry for the United States, because even if they win, the game will always have this bad thing about it. Not good for the sport. Bad decision by Fifa.” he remarked to reporters following his team’s surprising 2-0 victory over Brazil on Sunday. “Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision. I feel sorry for the United States, because even if they win, the game will always have this bad thing about it. Not good for the sport. Bad decision by FIFA.”
Trump’s involvement also tarnishes what has largely been a successful World Cup. Prior to the tournament, many concerns were raised regarding ticket prices, visa issues, logistical challenges, and even the potential presence of immigration agents at matches, with calls for the event to be relocated. While some of these issues undeniably impacted the tournament—evident in the treatment of the Iranian national team—the overall perception has been largely positive.
Now, Trump has executed what could be seen as the quintessential American maneuver: exerting undue, unwanted influence to achieve his goals. On Sunday, he took to social media to celebrate Balogun’s reinstatement, expressing gratitude to FIFA for correcting this “grave injustice.”
What he may not comprehend is that he has inflicted a different injustice, one that may prove far more difficult to amend.
