Prince Harry made an appearance at the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York City on Thursday evening, where he received recognition among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026.At the prestigious event, Harry encountered US striker Folarin Balogun, the Monaco forward who has been embroiled in controversy following Donald Trump’s personal intervention to overturn his World Cup suspension.The Duke was honoured in the leaders category for establishing the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded and sick military personnel.Balogun was dismissed with a red card during the United States’ round-of-32 fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Fifa’s disciplinary committee subsequently suspended his one-match ban for twelve months, permitting him to feature in the Americans’ last-16 defeat to Belgium.At the prestigious event, Harry (centre) encountered US striker Folarin Balogun (right), the Monaco forward who has been embroiled in controversy following Donald Trump’s personal intervention to overturn his World Cup suspension. | GETTYThe decision sparked fierce debate, with Trump acknowledging he had personally intervened on behalf of Balogun and the US co-hosts.On Tuesday, human rights organisation FairSquare lodged a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, alleging that Fifa president Gianni Infantino violated political neutrality rules through his dealings with the US president regarding the matter.Speaking to CBS this week, Balogun revealed he anticipated the backlash that would follow Trump’s involvement.”My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves, because it’s something that is so unique,” he said.Prince Harry made an appearance at the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York City on Thursday evening, where he received recognition among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026. | GETTYThe former Arsenal academy player insisted the red card for his challenge on Tarik Muharemovic was unwarranted.”I was in shock. It wasn’t even a tackle,” Balogun added, explaining that unintentional contact should never warrant a sending off.He acknowledged the situation placed unnecessary strain on the squad.During the gala, Harry spoke candidly about how athletics shaped his formative years.During the gala, Harry spoke candidly about how athletics shaped his formative years. | GETTY”Sport held me together,” he told TIME. “I was one of those kids at school who did not enjoy classroom work.”The Duke credited the variety of sporting opportunities available to him with keeping him engaged in education, stating he would not have remained in school without access to the sports field.Harry was recognised alongside prominent sporting figures including LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn in the leaders category.Birmingham will stage next summer’s Invictus Games, with around 550 competitors from approximately 25 nations expected to take part.