Folarin Balogun will line up for the United States against Belgium on Monday after Fifa suspended his one-match ban in a decision that has left the Belgian FA “astonished” and investigating legal options.
The 25-year-old striker was sent off for a studs-down-the-calf challenge on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during USA’s 2-0 win in the last 32. Under Fifa’s World Cup regulations, a red card automatically triggers a one-match suspension – a rule “explicitly reaffirmed” to all participating nations in May. But Fifa’s disciplinary committee invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows it to “suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”. The ban will now be suspended for a probationary period of one year; if Balogun commits a similar offence, the suspension will be revoked and the sanction enforced.
“Fifa suspends Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after Trump intervention, sparking Belgian fury.”
The decision followed a direct call from the White House to Fifa president Gianni Infantino, according to reports. US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa on Truth Social for “reversing a great injustice”, adding: “President DONALD J. TRUMP.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier called for a review, saying the team “got screwed with that red card”. USA forward Christian Pulisic said Balogun learned of the suspension on the bus to training and was “super happy”.
Belgium’s FA responded with a strongly worded statement, pointing out that every other red card at this World Cup had resulted in an automatic suspension. “The decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the Fifa World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations,” the RBFA said. It added that it was “investigating all potential options” to “safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams”. The Sun reported that Belgium have threatened to sue Fifa over the ruling.
The controversy is the latest to dog the tournament, with i newspaper’s Kat Lucas calling it “the most egregious rule-breaking yet” and noting that a red card has not been overturned at a World Cup since 1962, when Brazil’s Garrincha was cleared after kicking a Chilean player. Meanwhile, England’s last-16 match against Mexico will kick off at 1am on Monday after Fifa opted not to reschedule it over bad weather concerns.
The integrity of the competition has been questioned, but for now Balogun is available – and Belgium are left to contemplate their options.