U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the team’s round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA lifted his red card suspension. The decision followed a reported call from President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Balogun received the red card in the group stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. A VAR review showed contact with defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle during a challenge. The forward had scored the opening goal in that match. The suspension would have kept him out of the knockout game.
Trump contacted Infantino to discuss the call, according to reports from multiple outlets. FIFA’s disciplinary committee then suspended the ban. Balogun can now play against Belgium on Monday.
Trump posted on social media after the reversal. He thanked FIFA for “doing what was right” and reversing what he called a great injustice. The move came days after the original red card decision drew attention from fans and media.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino had already questioned the red card in his post-match comments. He said the contact appeared accidental and not intentional. Discussions online and in coverage compared the incident to other challenges in the tournament that did not result in red cards.
Fans of the team expressed relief at the news. Many noted Balogun’s importance as a goal scorer for the side. The reversal keeps a key player in the lineup as the United States moves deeper into the knockout rounds.
The decision marks a rare instance of direct presidential involvement in a World Cup disciplinary matter. It connects the on field incident, the appeal process, and high level communication between U.S. officials and FIFA leadership. Balogun’s return strengthens the team’s options in attack for the match against Belgium.
The officials confirmed Balogun is back in the squad and ready to train. The focus now shifts to preparation for the next game in the tournament.