Norway protests Trump call to FIFA regarding Folarin Balogun suspension

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Jul 23, 2026

Published in Soccer

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NEW YORK — Norwegian soccer officials plan to file a complaint formally protesting President Trump’s phone call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which preceded the surprising reversal of U.S. star Folarin Balogun’s suspension from World Cup play.

Balogun received a red card penalty for committing a hard foul against a Bosnia and Herzegovina player during a July 1 match in California. FIFA rules called for the striker from Brooklyn to be barred from participating in Team USA’s next game against Belgium. But after Trump spoke to Infantino, with whom he has a friendly relationship, Balogun’s suspension was not enforced.

Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness told The Times of London its important that the international soccer community has an “honest” discussion over what transpired.

“We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process,” she said. “We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error.”

Even with Balogun on field, the U.S. was handily defeated by the Belgians. Belgium lost the following game to the Spanish team, which won the tournament. Norway was knocked out of the World Cup by England in a thrilling quarterfinals match.

Trump admitted he contacted Infantino to ask for an explanation of the foul that led to Balogun’s suspension. Infantino said the matter was reviewed by his organization’s independent judicial bodies prior to the decision that allowed the 25-year-old American to play.

Balogun’s reinstatement, which came months after Infantino awarded Trump the freshly conceived FIFA Peace Prize, was largely criticized.

Klaveness told the Times she won’t allow that alleged scandal to be swept “under carpet.”