USA striker Folarin Balogun has admitted he anticipated that President Donald Trump's intervention on his behalf at FIFA would ignite fierce debate, describing the experience as one surrounded by enormous pressure and outside noise.

Balogun received a red card during the United States' round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA's disciplinary committee subsequently suspended the one-match ban for a year, a decision that allowed the Monaco forward to feature in the Americans' last-16 defeat to Belgium.

President Trump later confirmed he had personally spoken with FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the red card, thrusting the entire affair into a political storm that extended well beyond football.

Balogun's reaction

Speaking to CBS, Balogun explained that his first instinct was simply relief at being available for selection. However, as the controversy deepened, the weight of the situation became clear.