“One call and the matter was settled” – Fifa insider confirms suspicions against Infantino

It was the big controversial topic at the 2026 World Cup: the withdrawn red card against Folarin Balogun. The US striker was shown red for an unintentional but brutal kick in the round of 16 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Afterwards, US President Donald Trump is said to have called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to cancel the red card. The expulsion was actually revoked and Balogun was allowed to play in the round of 16 defeat against Belgium (1:4).

Now four FIFA insiders have spoken to the New York Post and confirmed that Infantino personally revoked the sending off. An insider told the US newspaper: "He (Gianni Infantino, editor's note) told President Trump that he would take care of it. One phone call and it was done."

Both Trump and Infantino confirmed in July that there had been a phone call between them in the wake of the scandal. However, the FIFA President always emphasized that he was not involved in the decision.

The newspaper asked FIFA again, which said: “Our position has not changed, despite what unnamed sources claim.” The association did not comment on the sources mentioned or the allegations regarding their content.

Explosive: For the first time since the World Cup and Infantino's failed investor plans, the Fifa Council is meeting this Thursday. The FIFA President, UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf are part of the 37-member committee that meets in Zurich.

According to a media report, FIFA wants to prevent a case like the one at the World Cup by changing the rules in the disciplinary code. One-game bans should no longer be suspended in the future. This proposal will be presented to the FIFA Council. According to the British newspaper “The Athletic”, council members criticized the late timing: the exact wording of the proposal was sent less than 48 hours before the start of the meeting.