FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium
President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun after the forward received a red card during the U.S. match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to people familiar with the conversation.
On Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun would be eligible to play in Monday’s match against Belgium after overturning the automatic one-game suspension that followed his dismissal.
The decision is considered highly unusual. According to the report, it marks the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to participate in a match despite what would normally have been a suspension.
The ruling also comes amid longstanding ties between Infantino and Trump. Over the past several years, Infantino has maintained a close relationship with the U.S. president. Last year, FIFA awarded Trump its FIFA Peace Prize during his unsuccessful campaign to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Neither FIFA nor Belgian Football Association President Pascale Van Damme immediately commented on the decision.
The White House pointed to a post Trump made on Truth Social following FIFA’s announcement. While Trump praised FIFA for reversing what he described as an unfair decision, he did not mention his reported conversation with Infantino or claim responsibility for the outcome.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice,” Trump wrote.
Balogun had been sent off after receiving a red card for a foul against a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender. Under FIFA regulations, the dismissal carried an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA later announced that the suspension would be postponed under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code. The organization stated that the suspension would remain inactive during a one-year probationary period. If Balogun commits another offense of similar seriousness within that period, the original suspension will automatically take effect in addition to any new disciplinary punishment.
Balogun’s availability provides a significant boost for the United States, as he is the team’s leading attacking threat ahead of its Round of 16 match against Belgium and its attempt to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years.
The decision has also renewed debate over FIFA’s disciplinary process. Critics have previously questioned whether the governing body has shown flexibility toward high-profile players or major teams. One notable example involved Cristiano Ronaldo, who was allowed to play at the start of a World Cup despite expectations that a previous red card would have ruled him out of the opening matches under normal disciplinary procedures.
