FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly defended the World Cup's match officials, appearing to break ranks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had criticized referee Raphael Claus. The controversy arose after FIFA overturned a one-game ban for U.S. player Folarin Balogun, a decision that emerged following a call between Trump and Infantino.
Trump confirmed on Monday that he had spoken with Infantino about Balogun's red card, which occurred during the U.S. team's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump described the referee, Claus, as "suspect" and suggested the game would have been "rigged" had Balogun been unable to play in the subsequent match against Belgium. Balogun's ban was suspended by FIFA, allowing him to participate in the U.S. team's game.
In response to the criticism, Infantino posted on Instagram, "The FIFA World Cup 2026 has been an overwhelming success and a major contributor to this is our fantastic group of match officials - Team One." He added, "The tournament is being officiated by the best in the world, selected through a rigorous process which considered their skills, consistency, and quality over a sustained period." Infantino reiterated the importance of respecting referees and the rules of the game.
Trump had previously stated that he asked for a review by FIFA and believed Balogun had done nothing wrong. He mentioned looking into Claus's past, noting that the referee had once been accused of match-fixing in 2023, though he was not charged with any wrongdoing. Trump insisted he did not force Infantino's hand but praised him as a "smart, tough man."
The decision to suspend Balogun's ban, and Trump's subsequent comments, led to widespread criticism. UEFA issued a statement expressing disbelief, calling the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and stating that it undermines the integrity and credibility of the competition. UEFA argued that an automatic one-match suspension is not a discretionary option but a principle embedded in regulations.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and EU commissioner for sport Glenn Micallef also criticized the intervention, emphasizing that sporting decisions should not be dictated by politics. These reactions have led to calls for Infantino's resignation.
Infantino addressed the backlash, confirming he regularly discusses World Cup matters with heads of state. He stated that during his conversation with Trump, he explained FIFA's ongoing legal processes and that decisions are made by independent judicial bodies. "What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them," Infantino said. "Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."
Balogun, the U.S. team's top scorer in the tournament, received a straight red card for a tackle during the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Belgian FA had appealed FIFA's decision to allow Balogun to play, but their appeal was rejected. The Belgian FA stated that it had not received grounds for the decision and indicated that further actions could be taken, potentially including referral to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.