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Trump made the comment while confirming that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun.
US President Donald Trump speaks during an event on the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AFP photo)
Ahead of the World Cup round of 16 clash between Team USA and Belgium, US President Donald Trump on Monday said that if Belgium beat the United States, he would call the match “rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.”
Trump made the comment while confirming that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun. He described it as a “horrible” officiating decision and defended his intervention, saying he had only requested a review because he did not believe it “was a foul”.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President said it was important for Team USA to have its best players on the field, suggesting that failure to overturn the suspension would make Monday night’s game look “rigged” against the US.
“This game would have a big mark on it. If we lost, if we won, no matter what happened, you have to let them use their best players. And the game tonight’s gonna be amazing, and we’re gonna have a full team, and Belgium’s gonna have a full team,” Trump said.
Trump:If Belgium beat us, then they can be really proud.
The other way—if they beat us—I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020. pic.twitter.com/I3LI1UYQJz
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 6, 2026
“And you know what? If they beat us, then they can be really proud. The other way, if they beat us, I’d say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020, but I won’t get into that,” he added.
Balogun, regarded as one of the US team’s key players at the World Cup, was sent off during the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, last Wednesday.
FIFA Suspension Reversal Sparks Outcry
But on Sunday, FIFA said it was suspending the red card, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium, sparking a major furore.
FIFA also dismissed Belgium’s appeal over the decision as “inadmissible”, while Belgium’s football association said it had “still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter.”
Under pressure to explain the move, Infantino insisted that the organisation’s disciplinary process was independent and that he could not influence it. This came after Trump confirmed he had contacted Infantino directly about the red card.
European football’s governing body UEFA said FIFA had “crossed a red line” by allowing Balogun to play. It added: “Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not.”
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he initially thought the news of Balogun’s suspension being overturned was an April Fool’s joke, while Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said FIFA had made “a big mistake.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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