FIFA has reversed a red card suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in Monday's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after President Donald Trump reportedly spoke directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The decision has sparked outrage from the Belgian federation, which is now considering legal action.
Trump celebrated the ruling on social media, writing on Truth Social: «Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!» He also praised Balogun's reinstatement and predicted a strong performance from the Americans against Belgium. According to reports, Trump spoke with Infantino before the organization made its decision, though the White House has not confirmed the call's details.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced its decision Sunday, stating: «Pursuant to article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the application of the automatic suspension of American player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.» The ruling means Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is eligible to face Belgium on Monday night in Seattle.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) responded with a strongly worded statement expressing shock at the decision. «The RBFA is stunned by FIFA's decision to declare suspended American player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the United States-Belgium match,» the federation said. It argued that the ruling violates both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and World Cup regulations, specifically citing article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code, which states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, and article 10.5 of the World Cup 2026 Regulations, which reaffirms the automatic nature of such suspensions.
The Belgian federation also noted that the automatic suspension rule was explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 circular no. 16, distributed to all participating member associations on May 12, 2026, and reiterated at match coordination meetings before each game. «In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and preserve the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both during this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is considering all possible options,» the statement concluded.
Balogun, who leads the United States with three goals this tournament, was sent off in the 64th minute of the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR review upgraded a challenge to a red card. The dismissal immediately sparked debate among fans and pundits, many of whom believed the punishment was overly harsh. The U.S. team learned of FIFA's decision while arriving for Sunday morning training in the Seattle area.
Belgium enters Monday's Round of 16 match ranked No. 9 in the FIFA World Rankings after handing the United States a 5-2 loss in a March friendly. But World Cup knockout soccer is a different animal. Come kickoff Monday night in Seattle, Balogun will be exactly where Belgium hoped he wouldn't be: on the field.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader issue of presidential influence in international sports governance. Trump received the first FIFA Peace Prize from Infantino in December, and the two have maintained a relationship that some critics say undermines the independence of sports organizations. The Belgian federation's threat of legal action could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in future tournaments.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch. Balogun's presence could be a game-changer for the U.S. team, which has relied heavily on his scoring ability throughout the tournament. The Americans will need every advantage they can get against a Belgian side that has been one of the most consistent teams in world soccer over the past decade.
