Soccer governing body FIFA on Sunday suspended the red card ban of United States striker Folarin Balogun and allowed him to play against Belgium, which has sparked controversy. The move was reversed after President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the matter.
The unexpected move also brought FIFA’s disciplinary process to the forefront of the soccer world and sparked a strong reaction from Belgium, who will play the United States on Monday in the Round of 16 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Sunday’s decision has been a whirlwind of debate on sports news bulletins and talk shows, with experts, commentators, and former players debating whether the soccer governing body has upheld justice or violated its own rules, according to Reuters.
Balogun scored a goal in the round of 32, as the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0. Balogun was sent off after a VAR review for kicking defender Tarik Muharemovic in the ankle with his boot, while the United States was leading 1–0.
However, the US advanced to the next round with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men, thanks to a goal from Malik Tillman.
“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,” the soccer governing body said in a statement, according to the report.
“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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Trump thanked FIFA on Truth Social after allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. The 25-year-old is a key player for the United States and has scored three goals so far in this year’s World Cup.
Of the three host nations for the 2026 World Cup, only the United States remains, and they will need to beat Belgium to reach the quarterfinals. The other two hosts, Canada and Mexico, have already been eliminated from the tournament.
