Trump suggested that FIFA’s decision to overturn the Balogun decision was their own, claiming he didn’t ask or order them to do so. “All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say ‘You have to do this,’” he said. “Gianni Infantino, he’s a smart, tough man and his stock has gone through the roof because the job he’s done has been great. And I feel we have to have all the best players on the field.”
On the subject of Belgium whose football association is pursuing a challenge of FIFA’s ruling on Balogun, the president said that he’s not opposed to speaking to Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever prior to tonight’s match, calling him a “good man.”
Then, Trump suggested that it would be better for Belgium if they beat the U.S. squad at full strength, rather than one missing Balogun. “I will tell you this. The people in Belgium, if they win the game, they can be very proud. If they would win the game with a player missing, it would have been a different feeling. You can’t do that, and I’m very glad.”
