To anyone who claims sport and politics are separate entities, this one’s for you.
FIFA has sparked fresh controversy at the 2026 World Cup after suspending Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, clearing the United States striker to face Belgium in the Round of 16 — a decision that drew praise from US President Donald Trump and fury from Belgium.
Balogun, the USA’s leading scorer with three goals at the tournament, was shown a straight red card during the Americans’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after inadvertently catching defender Tarik Muharemovic high on the ankle with his studs. The dismissal came after a VAR review, despite widespread claims from players and head coach Mauricio Pochettino that there was no intent to injure.
Under IFAB’s Laws of the Game, serious foul play is judged by the nature and danger of the challenge rather than intent. FIFA regulations also state that a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension that cannot normally be appealed.
FIFA’s Surprise U-turn
On Sunday, however, FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension had been “suspended for a probationary period of one year,” effectively making him available for Monday’s showdown against Belgium.
The governing body offered no further explanation for its decision.
The ruling came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly argued that the United States had been “screwed” by the red card.
Trump Welcomes Decision
Trump, who has maintained a close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, quickly celebrated the reversal on Truth Social.
USA-USA-USA 🦅 https://t.co/yKnJxew9tU pic.twitter.com/75KmExgrUJ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 5, 2026
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
The White House also welcomed the decision on social media.
According to reports from the Associated Press and The New York Times, the White House contacted Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s suspension, although FIFA has not commented on those claims.
Belgium Left Stunned
The decision was met with disbelief in the Belgian camp.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by what it described as a decision that directly contradicted FIFA’s own World Cup regulations. The federation added it was exploring “all potential options” to protect the integrity of the competition and the rights of participating teams.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also questioned the timing of the ruling.
“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” Garcia quipped.
Balogun had previously accepted the red card, but FIFA’s extraordinary intervention now ensures the USA will have their leading scorer available as they chase a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
