FIFA reverses one-game ban for U.S. player after Trump call to president

FIFA reversed a one-game suspension for a U.S. player ahead of Monday's World Cup match against Belgium. The decision followed a call from President Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Belgium Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, a former soccer referee, said the reversal was unfair.

"This decision clearly raises many questions," Prévot stated in a Monday statement reported by the New York Times.

Associations issued a statement Monday denouncing the decision. UEFA said football relies on rules that form the basis for fair competition and that the rule in question is not open to interpretation. Belgium's soccer federation stated the decision violates Article 10.5 of FIFA's competition regulations.

The federation said the same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting and is included in all workshop presentations. Belgium was granted permission to file an appeal after sending a letter to FIFA officials on Monday.

m. EDT, though neither side has been told when a decision will be made.

U.S. response President Trump said the player did not commit a serious foul and called the suspension unfair. "He didn't do anything wrong, and he's our best player or one of our best players," Trump stated in the Oval Office on Monday morning. U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White wrote on X that Trump asked for a review of the referee's call.

White said the president thanked FIFA after the fact and that the red card was unnecessarily issued.