Trump Intervenes as FIFA Lifts U.S. Star Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Suspension Ahead of Belgium Clash
Seattle, July 6, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of American striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension, leading to the controversial decision by world football’s governing body to lift the ban.c61f6aBalogun, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s top scorer with three goals at the 2026 World Cup,…
Seattle, July 6, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of American striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension, leading to the controversial decision by world football’s governing body to lift the ban.c61f6a
Balogun, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s top scorer with three goals at the 2026 World Cup, received a red card in the round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The automatic suspension would have ruled him out of Monday’s round of 16 match against Belgium, but FIFA suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period.d742e0
Trump later thanked FIFA on social media, stating: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” The move has sparked widespread criticism, with the Belgian FA calling it “astonishing” and UEFA accusing FIFA of crossing a “red line.”e9f414
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino described the original red card as harsh, while players and fans celebrated Balogun’s availability for the crucial knockout clash. The incident has raised questions about political influence in football governance.
