President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino about U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card and resulting suspension before the governing body lifted the ban, a U.S. official tells Axios.

Why it matters: Direct presidential intervention in a FIFA disciplinary matter would be highly unusual, and the reversal allows Balogun to play in the knockout stage.

The big picture: The president’s involvement illustrates how closely Trump is following the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup campaign and highlights potential political influence on international sports governance.

Driving the news: The U.S. official said Trump spoke with Infantino because the president wanted to better understand the reason why a red card was given to Balogun and why the one-game suspension was imposed.

• The U.S. government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process, which the official noted is run by an independent board.
• The official added that ultimately the correct and proper outcome was achieved.
• Trump in a Truth Social post earlier Sunday thanked FIFA for “doing what was right,” saying the decision reversed “a great injustice!”
• The New York Times first reported news of Trump’s intervention.

Flashback: Balogun was red-carded in Team USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What’s next: The U.S. plays Belgium in the round of 16 clash on Monday.

Go deeper: Belgium “astonished” by FIFA’s Balogun red card reversal