FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, making the US striker available for Monday's last-16 match against Belgium. The surprise decision followed calls from US President Donald Trump, who thanked FIFA on Truth Social for reversing what he called 'a great injustice.'
Balogun's Red Card Incident
Balogun received a straight red card for serious foul play after a VAR review in the USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Monaco striker, a former England Under-21 international, scored the first goal and has been key to USA's attack with three goals in three World Cup starts. Replays showed his foot landing on defender Tarik Muharemovic's upper ankle, a decision widely condemned as harsh.
FIFA initially confirmed a one-match ban, noting that its disciplinary code does not permit appeals against straight red cards. However, on Sunday, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to rescind the suspension, though the red card remains on Balogun's record for a one-year probationary period. If he commits a similar offense, he will serve the ban.
Trump's Role and FIFA's Rationale
Sources told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to FIFA starting Wednesday to ensure the change. The White House World Cup taskforce, chaired by Andrew Giuliani, reportedly launched a legal challenge focusing on the use of slow-motion replays in VAR decisions. The White House and FIFA have not commented. Article 27 allows FIFA's judicial committee to suspend disciplinary measures, effectively vetoing refereeing decisions.
This clause was previously used to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal's first two World Cup games after his three-match ban for a red card against the Republic of Ireland was reduced to one match. Ronaldo had been a guest of Trump at the White House the week before his ban was revoked. In 1962, Brazil's Garrincha played in the final after being sent off in the semi-final, with no suspension imposed.
Belgium's Fury and Legal Threats
Belgium's manager Rudi Garcia had little time to prepare his team to face Balogun. The Royal Belgium Football Association issued a strongly worded statement accusing FIFA of breaking its own rules and leaving open the possibility of legal action. They noted that the automatic suspension was reaffirmed in World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16 and at match coordination meetings. 'We are astonished by this decision,' the statement read. 'This decision is in direct contradiction to the provisions of the World Cup 2026 competition regulations.' The Belgian FA is investigating all options to safeguard fair play.
