Just hours before the United States' crucial FIFA World Cup last-16 match against Belgium, football's governing body triggered a major controversy by overturning striker Folarin Balogun's automatic suspension. The dramatic decision, reportedly following lobbying by US President Donald Trump, has prompted outrage from Belgium and reignited debate over the independence and integrity of football's disciplinary process.
Trump called Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA and asked him to review Balogun's suspension after he was given a red card, The New York Times reported. It noted that the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension was highly unusual.
It was the first time since 1962 that FIFA has nullified a suspension for a red card received during the World Cup. Trump called Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, in the hours after the United States men’s soccer team played Wednesday and asked him to review the suspension of the team’s top goal scorer in the World Cup, Folarin Balogun, after he was given a red card, according to four people familiar with the conversation.
Balogun had received a straight red card during the US victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a VAR review concluded that he had stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic's ankle. The dismissal automatically carried a one-match suspension, ruling him out of the Belgium encounter.
However, in an unexpected move on Sunday, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended the ban, making the striker available for selection.
According to reports, Trump personally contacted FIFA officials on three occasions beginning Wednesday, urging the governing body to reconsider the punishment. Soon after the decision, the US President publicly welcomed the reversal, describing it as the correction of an injustice.
FIFA said the decision was taken under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows the suspension of certain sanctions under specific circumstances. Balogun will remain on a one-year probationary period, meaning the red card stays on his disciplinary record and the suspended one-match ban could be activated if he commits a similar offence within the next year.
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted strongly, saying it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision.
Belgian officials argued that FIFA's own regulations state that suspensions following straight red cards are automatic and questioned how the governing body could suspend the punishment. The federation said it was examining all available legal options.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also criticised the ruling, suggesting it undermined football's credibility and the integrity of the competition.
The reversal comes as a significant lift for the United States. Balogun has been one of the tournament's standout performers, scoring three goals in as many starts and leading the American attack. US coach Mauricio Pochettino had consistently maintained that the sending-off was excessively harsh, arguing the challenge was accidental rather than deliberate.
American players reportedly first learned about the decision through social media while travelling to training, before receiving official confirmation from US Soccer.
Although the team had already prepared tactical plans without Balogun, his return provides a major attacking advantage as the United States attempts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
The episode is nevertheless likely to remain one of the tournament's most controversial moments, with questions continuing over political influence and the consistency of FIFA's disciplinary process.
