FIFA made the unprecedented decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, allowing the US star to play in the last-16 tie against Belgium despite standard World Cup rules prohibiting appeals against dismissals. President Trump publicly claimed responsibility, stating he persuaded FIFA to review the suspension, though he maintained he only requested a review rather than ordering the ban's removal. Infantino denied political interference, but the optics intensified scrutiny given their well-documented relationship and Trump's recent receipt of FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize.

The cancellation has sparked criticism across football for appearing to breach FIFA's explicit ban on political interference in sporting decisions—rules the organisation regularly enforces against nations by suspending them. The decision benefits the tournament's co-host, creating the impression of a "presidential pardon" rather than an independent disciplinary review. European politicians and football figures, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, have questioned whether the rules apply equally, adding pressure on Infantino ahead of his re-election next year, though his decade-long tenure has already been marked by controversy.