Jürgen Klopp has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino following the controversial decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s one-match World Cup suspension.
The former Liverpool manager questioned the involvement of political figures in football’s disciplinary process after FIFA cleared the United States striker to play in the country’s last-16 clash against Belgium despite his straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout tie after being dismissed during the USA’s 2-0 victory in the previous round. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the automatic suspension had been suspended, making the 25-year-old available for selection.
The decision prompted an angry reaction from Belgium, while UEFA also criticised the ruling amid growing concerns over the integrity of the tournament.
Reports later claimed Trump had personally contacted Infantino to request a review of the incident.
Although neither FIFA nor the White House commented directly on those reports at the time, Trump has since acknowledged speaking to the FIFA president about the case, insisting he merely asked for the incident to be reviewed rather than demanding a specific outcome.
Speaking during his role as a World Cup pundit for MagentaTV, Klopp made it clear he was deeply uncomfortable with the controversy.
“This is our game, not theirs,” Klopp said.
The German went even further, criticising the reported involvement of both Trump and Infantino.
“If Trump and Infantino really agreed on that, that’s crazy. It calls everything into question.”
“These two people, neither of whom knows anything about football, shouldn’t have anything to do with it at all.”
Klopp also argued there was no justification for overturning Balogun’s dismissal.
According to the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss, the challenge deserved a red card and should not have been subject to debate, regardless of the wider consequences for the tournament.
He added that football has always had to live with controversial refereeing decisions.
“In our game, we all suffer from wrong calls. Still, we learn to live with them as we go through life.”
The controversy has quickly become one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Belgium described FIFA’s decision as astonishing and indicated it was examining all possible legal avenues, while UEFA warned the move risked undermining confidence in football’s disciplinary system. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and England manager Thomas Tuchel have also questioned the precedent set by the decision.
FIFA has defended its position, saying the matter was handled by its independent judicial bodies under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, although the organisation has not provided a detailed explanation for why the provision was applied in Balogun’s case.
Klopp’s outspoken comments come at a time when he is once again being linked with a return to management.
Currently serving as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, the 59-year-old has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann as Germany’s next head coach after confirming he has held discussions with the German Football Federation.
While Balogun’s availability has boosted the United States ahead of its meeting with Belgium, the circumstances surrounding FIFA’s decision continue to dominate debate, with Klopp’s remarks adding another high-profile voice to growing concerns over political influence in world football.
