Gianni Infantino faces mounting criticism and loss of support over Balogun red‑card decision

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under intense scrutiny after the governing body postponed the automatic suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, a decision reportedly influenced by a direct request from former U.S. president Donald Trump. The move sparked accusations that FIFA has become politicised and compromised the integrity of the 2026 World Cup. National football federations in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland and others have publicly questioned their backing of Infantino, while African federations such as Nigeria continue to support him. Media outlets, including The Times and The Guardian, have highlighted fan distrust, with one source noting, “The political intervention in football could not be stronger than that of Trump.” The controversy is also fueling debate over future FIFA reforms, the expansion of the Club World Cup and the possibility of Infantino seeking another term after 2031.