President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 5, welcomed FIFA’s decision to allow U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium after football’s governing body suspended the automatic one-match ban he received following a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after a challenge that was upgraded following a Video Assistant Referee review.
The dismissal carried an automatic one-match suspension under standard FIFA World Cup rules, ruling him out of the match against Belgium.
On Sunday, however, FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension had been “suspended for a probationary period of one year,” making him immediately eligible to return to the U.S. lineup.
FIFA did not explain why it had chosen to suspend the sanction.
The decision came as a major boost for the United States. Balogun has scored three goals during the tournament and has been one of the team’s most important attacking players.
Trump Welcomes FIFA’s Decision
Trump reacted shortly after FIFA’s announcement with a message on Truth Social thanking football’s governing body.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said.
The White House also celebrated the decision in a separate social media post.
Before FIFA acted, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had criticized the red card decision, arguing that the United States had been treated unfairly.
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Reports from multiple U.S. media outlets also suggested Trump personally sought a review of the suspension.
The Associated Press, citing an anonymous source, reported that the White House contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the case.
The New York Times also reported that Trump spoke with Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension, citing three unnamed people familiar with the matter.
Neither FIFA nor the White House publicly confirmed those reports.
Belgium Challenges FIFA’s Ruling
Belgium’s football federation strongly criticized FIFA’s decision, arguing that it contradicts the tournament’s own disciplinary regulations.
In a statement, the Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” that Balogun had been declared eligible.
The federation said FIFA’s decision was contrary to Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which states a direct red card automatically results in a suspension for the next match for the team.
Belgium also pointed to Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which states:
“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.”
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The Belgian federation said FIFA had repeatedly reminded participating teams of the automatic suspension rule before the tournament began.
The RBFA said it is now “investigating all potential options” to protect what it described as the legitimate rights of participating teams and the principles of fair play.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also questioned the ruling, joking during a news conference that he “didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April.”
Why Balogun’s Red Card Was Controversial
Balogun’s dismissal immediately sparked debate among players and coaches.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino and several teammates argued the striker never intended to injure his opponent.
The challenge occurred when Balogun’s studs caught a defender high on the ankle during a contest for the ball.
Under guidance issued by the International Football Association Board, serious foul play is judged by the nature and danger of the challenge rather than whether a player intended to cause injury.
That interpretation ultimately led to the red card following the VAR review.
USA Receives Major Boost Before Belgium Clash
Balogun’s availability removes a major concern for the United States ahead of its match against Belgium.
Without their leading scorer, the Americans would have entered one of their toughest matches of the tournament with a significantly weakened attack.
Instead, Balogun is expected to remain a central figure in Pochettino’s plans.
