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Hindsight is 20/20, but it sure looks like Landon Donovan wishes the Folarin Balogun red card controversy just played out.
The USMNT star received a red card in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, which initially ruled him out of action in the next round. However, FIFA decided to suspend the red card, making Balogun eligible. President Donald Trump later said he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked for a review, but FIFA claimed it was not influenced by Trump.
Nevertheless, the ruling added to what was already a huge controversy, and Donovan said the situation was getting “out of control”.
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USA’s Landon Donovan celebrates victory at the final whistle at the 2010 World Cup. (EMPICS Sport – PA Images via Getty Images)
“I was disappointed … because it had been a World Cup full of partisanship — people just loved America, loved the flag and loved what they saw. Then it got very messy and nobody wanted to see it because we love the sport. We loved what we saw and the players have since admitted that it became difficult for them,” Donovan told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview. “It tarnished what had been an incredible run.
“The really sad part is that it should never have been a red card, but that’s the reality. It’s just disappointing that it got out of hand like that. I felt bad for Balogun. I felt bad for the team, to be honest, and it was very clear that it motivated the Belgian team.”
The International Olympic Committee recently said it was not investigating Infantino regarding Trump’s calls to him.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy before handing it over to Spain captain Rodri at the awards ceremony following the FIFA World Cup 2026 final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
IOC REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE GIANNI INFANTINO OVER TRUMP’S CALL FOR Folarin BALOGUN RED CARD
“All I did was I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a mistake,” Trump said at the time. “And again, I’m good at this. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two big athletes crashing into each other and getting tangled up. It wasn’t a guy punching somebody in the face or anything, it would be different.
“I think it’s terrible … if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play. I think it would have had a big stain. I passed it on. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t think he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision and they made the right decision because, no, and you wanted to see a game. best players.”
As Donovan noted, Balogun admitted that the red card fiasco resulted in “a lot of outside noise” and caused “a lot of nerves” among the team.
“The closer we got to the game, I just tried to focus as best I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise and it’s hard to avoid,” Balogun said earlier this month.
Folarin Balogun of the United States is comforted by teammates Giovanni Reyna and Timothy Weah after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Carlos Barria/Reuters via Imagn Images)
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Belgium gave a strong response that Balogun was eligible for the game but not to help. At the end of the day, however, they got the last laugh with a 4-1 win.
