President Donald Trump has praised FIFA's decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to participate in the World Cup last-16 clash against Belgium, calling it 'reversing a great injustice'.
Background of the Incident
Balogun, a 25-year-old Monaco forward who has scored three goals at the tournament, was dismissed for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic during the second half of the USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. His single-match ban has now been suspended for a probationary period of one year.
According to FIFA's disciplinary code, should Balogun commit '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'.
Trump's Reaction
Writing on his Truth Social account on Sunday afternoon (July 5), President Trump said: 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!'
A FIFA disciplinary committee statement read: 'By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.'
Impact on the Team
Balogun's availability is a major boost for head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The striker is just two goals behind the USA's all-time top scorer at World Cups, Landon Donovan, who registered five.
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated World Cup 2026 last-16 tie between England and Mexico is officially scheduled to begin at 1am UK time on Monday, July 6, at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Heavy thunderstorms and highly disruptive weather conditions are currently forecast to hit the Mexican capital around the match time.
