United States President, Donald Trump, reportedly spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before football’s governing body suspended the immediate enforcement of Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban.
The decision has cleared the United States forward to face Belgium in Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match.
According to reports, citing three people familiar with the conversation, Trump asked Infantino to review Balogun’s dismissal before FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced its decision on Sunday.
The decision has also prompted a formal protest from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which questioned FIFA’s interpretation of its disciplinary rules ahead of the knockout fixture in Seattle.
FIFA suspends Balogun’s ban
Balogun had been expected to miss the Belgium match after receiving a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the suspension would not take immediate effect.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
“If Folarin Balogun commits 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.”
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The ruling allows the former Arsenal forward to play against Belgium.
Balogun has been one of the United States’ standout performers at the tournament, scoring twice in the team’s 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay before adding another goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 25-year-old was sent off in the 64th minute after a challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially allowed play to continue before showing a red card following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Political reaction
Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision in a post on Truth Social.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Earlier, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the dismissal while speaking at a news conference.
“It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”
Belgium disputes FIFA ruling
The RBFA said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and argued that it conflicts with both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations.
According to the Belgian federation, Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code requires a player sent off during a match to automatically serve a suspension in the team’s next fixture. It also cited Article 10.5 of the tournament regulations, which states:
“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”
The RBFA said the same guidance was reinforced in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16 and repeated during pre-match coordination meetings and tournament workshops.
The federation added that FIFA’s latest decision raises wider concerns about the consistent application of disciplinary rules.
“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
FIFA regulations and precedent
Under FIFA regulations, a straight red card normally results in an automatic one-match suspension, although FIFA has the authority to suspend the enforcement of disciplinary sanctions.
Earlier in the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his suspension increased from one to five matches after a challenge that left Canada’s Ismael Kone with a broken leg.
There is also precedent for suspending bans before a World Cup. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in the opening match of the tournament after FIFA suspended the remainder of a three-match ban he received during World Cup qualifying against the Republic of Ireland.
The controversy comes ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 meeting between the United States and Belgium, with FIFA yet to provide further public clarification on its interpretation of the regulations that allowed Balogun to be eligible for the fixture.
