President Donald Trump on Monday defended his call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeking a review of the red card issued to U.S. star Folarin Balogun, saying the play never should have resulted in a suspension and insisting he did not influence the governing body's final decision.

Speaking at the White House, Trump confirmed that he asked Infantino for "a review" after watching the match.

"That wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction," Trump said, according to The New York Times.

The president said he wasn't initially familiar with soccer's red card rules.

"When I found out, I said, 'You got to be kidding,'" Trump said, explaining that he then called Infantino to request the play be reviewed.

According to the Times, Trump rejected claims that he pressured FIFA to reverse the suspension, insisting he “didn't tell [Infantino] what to do."

"I can't tell him what to do, and I don't believe he made the decision," Trump said. “I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision, because number one, it wasn't a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players."

He also questioned the referee's judgment, calling the official "very suspect," though he did not elaborate.

Trump said Balogun's reinstatement would ensure the United States and Belgium bring their best game to the field.

"And we're going to have a full team, and Belgium is going to have a full team," Trump said. "And you know what? If they beat us, then they can be really proud.

"The other way, if they beat us, we'll say it was — I'd say— it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020."

FIFA announced Sunday that Balogun's one-match suspension had been lifted, clearing the U.S. team's leading scorer to play in Monday night's World Cup matchup against Belgium.

The decision sparked objections from Belgian officials.

"This decision clearly raises many questions," Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said, according to the Times. "If a phone call really is what explains this incomprehensible decision, it would amount to undermining the most basic rules of soccer and sports."

Belgium's soccer federation reportedly said it would challenge Balogun's eligibility, while UEFA criticized the reversal as "an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

Trump maintained that FIFA's independent committee made the final call after reviewing the play, saying fans deserve to see the tournament's best players on the field.