Trump lobbies FIFA to suspend Balogun's red card ban ahead of USA vs Belgium

Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 clash with Belgium at Seattle Stadium after FIFA suspended the automatic one-match ban he incurred from a red card in the group-stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Monaco forward, who has scored three goals in three starts to become the USA’s most dangerous attacker at their first home World Cup since 1994, was sent off for catching Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle during a collision. Under standard FIFA rules, the dismissal carried an automatic one-game suspension that would have ruled the 25-year-old out of the knockout tie.

However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows a ban to be placed on probation for one year provided the player does not commit another infringement of a similar nature and gravity. The same provision was used earlier in the tournament to clear Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card — received in the World Cup play-offs — so he could participate in Portugal’s group stage, and it subsequently benefited Ecuador’s Moisés Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi, who were both sent off in the same match.

Balogun’s reinstatement also drew direct involvement from the White House. US President Donald Trump reportedly lobbied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the case. Trump subsequently posted on his Truth Social platform that FIFA had done “what was right and reversing a great injustice”. Trump and Infantino have maintained a close relationship — the FIFA chief awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last year.

The decision places Balogun at the centre of a broader political debate about the independence of football’s governing body and the consistency with which Article 27 is applied. Critics have questioned whether the rule is being deployed selectively to protect high-profile players and host-nation interests, while others argue it is a legitimate mechanism within the existing code.

With Balogun now available, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will have their full attacking complement as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.