Norway Challenges Trump’s Role in Folarin Balogun Red Card Reversal at 2026 World Cup

The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card stirred significant debate throughout the 2026 World Cup. Despite the U.S. team’s exit after a 4-1 loss to Belgium, Norway has stepped forward to challenge how Balogun’s suspension was overturned. The involvement of former President Donald Trump in this matter sparked outrage among several soccer nations, with Norway now officially joining those expressing concern.

Norwegian Football Federation Files Formal Complaint

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), revealed plans to bring a formal complaint to FIFA regarding the reversal of Balogun’s ban. She emphasized that attempts to ignore or downplay the issue won’t succeed. Speaking to The Times, Klaveness warned about the dangers of bending established rules.

"When you bend a rule like this, you're on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game," Klaveness said. "We all know that this verdict was influenced by external forces and did not have the proper process. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation's behaviour, and also the red line of what states' leaders should interfere with. And that happened."

Klaveness also noted that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had awarded Trump the FIFA Peace Prize shortly before the tournament began, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Trump’s Confirmed Intervention in Balogun’s Suspension

Donald Trump openly admitted he contacted Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s suspension. He described the initial red card as "horrible" and unfair because it sidelined one of the U.S.’s top players before a crucial match.

"I didn't tell him what to do, I can't tell him what to do," Trump explained. "When they take your best player, or just about, they have some great players, and they say you can't play, that's very unfair. It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn't been played yet? You can't do that. That's unfair. So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who is highly respected, and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up ten-fold, and he was good before this started. He really pushed it. I'm the one that got them to do it."

Infantino confirmed the call but denied that Trump's involvement influenced the decision. He stated that FIFA’s independent judicial bodies handled the case, maintaining the integrity of their processes.

Details of the Red Card Incident

During the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a red card for contact made with his cleat studs on Tarik Muharemovic’s back. The incident led to a one-match suspension, which would have forced Balogun to miss the Round of 16 clash with Belgium.

Following Trump's intervention, the suspension was lifted by FIFA disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali alone. Balogun returned for the Belgium match, though the U.S. was defeated and eliminated.