Folarin Balogun of USA leaves the pitch after receiving a red card during the Round of 32 match USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina, in San Francisco on 1 July 2026. EPA/BENJAMIN FANJOY The US’ World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when Fifa made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic red card ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday’s last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the case.
/file/attachments/2993/fb9ebccf-4afc-4cba-8b5f-8ecb41fb2d4e-AP25339634703621_294413.jpeg "US President Donald Trump receives the Fifa Peace Prize from the federation’s president, Gianni Infantino, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on 5 December 2025. (Photo: AP)")
The move thrust Fifa’s disciplinary process into the global spotlight, prompted an angry response from Belgium and ensured that one of this tournament’s biggest talking points would centre not on tactics or team selection, but on the relationship between football’s governing body and political power.
Within minutes, the decision had ignited one of the tournament’s biggest media storms, dominating sports bulletins and talk shows as pundits, commentators and former players argued over whether Fifa had upheld justice or undermined its own rules.
As questions mounted over the circumstances surrounding the decision, Fifa did not respond to a number of Reuters requests for comment about the decision and Trump’s call with Infantino.
Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemović.
The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with US coach Mauricio Pochettino saying it was never a red card offence.
Trump called Infantino to ask world soccer’s governing body to review the sending-off, according to a source briefed on the call.
Fifa is allowing Balogun to play without rescinding the red card.
“In line with article 27 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” Fifa said.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
The judicial body has the discretion to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction.
/file/attachments/2994/13763380_558314.jpg "Fifa president Gianni Infantino (front left) attends the Board of Peace meeting at the US President Donald Trump at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on 19 February 2026. Established by Trump and led by the US government, the board is tasked with overseeing the processes of the Gaza peace plan. (Photo: EPA / Alessandro di Meo)")
‘A great injustice’
“Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,” Trump wrote on Truth Social while the White House celebrated Balogun’s reinstatement in the squad with a post on X saying: “USA-USA-USA.”
US Soccer accepted the decision while Balogun’s teammates said they only found out via social media on their way to training before Monday’s game in Seattle.
“We found out about it just coming over here,” American forward Christian Pulisic told reporters.
“At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this is great news’.”
/file/attachments/2994/14115787_663735.jpg "Christian Pulisic comforts teammate Folarin Balogun after the latter received a red card. (Photo: EPA / Benjamin Fanjoy)")
Belgium astonished by decision
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by Fifa’s decision to declare Balogun eligible to play in the match, pointing to the rule book while it investigated all potential options.
“Fifa bases its decision on article 27 of the disciplinary code. This provision states that the Fifa disciplinary committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction,” the RBFA said.
“However, article 66.4 of the same Fifa disciplinary code clearly provides that a red card (sending off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this Fifa World Cup.”
It said the decision was in direct contradiction with the provisions of the tournament’s regulations.
“As set out in article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match,’” the RBFA added.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was able to play his side’s opening World Cup matches after Fifa suspended the final two games of a three-match ban last year when he was sent off in their penultimate qualifying match against Ireland.
Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was handed a five-match ban after receiving a red card for a tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné during a group match at the tournament.
In 1962, Brazil great Garrincha was sent off in the semifinal but he was cleared to play in the final after a successful appeal backed by Chilean fans and President Jorge Alessandri, helping his side beat Czechoslovakia 3-1. Reuters/DM