Donald Trump praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a reception at Trump Tower on Friday for overturning a red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun.
The decision allowed Balogun to play in the round-of-16 match against Belgium, which the US lost 4-1.
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The event, reported by The Guardian, took place ahead of a FIFA Council meeting before the World Cup final.
Trump and Infantino highlighted tournament achievements, including high stadium attendance and massive television viewership.
Infantino thanked Trump for organizing the tournament, calling it "the greatest human social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed."
Trump then shifted to domestic politics, claiming his 2020 election loss was rigged and noting he would have completed his term by the 2026 World Cup if he had won.
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Trump detailed his personal communication with Infantino regarding the red card. "I said, Gianni, I'd like to make a recommendation.
Let the guy in the game," Trump recounted, though he clarified he actually filed a complaint.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "They won the game, and our team had all of its players.
So Gianni made yet another of his many good decisions."
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The red card suspension removed controversy, as Trump noted that without it, critics would have claimed the US would have won with their best players.
