FIFA Suspends Folarin Balogun's One-Game Ban, Clearing US Striker for Belgium Match

Folarin Balogun's one-game ban has surprisingly been suspended by FIFA, clearing the American striker to play in the team's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.

The decision has been praised by US President Donald Trump and prompted outrage from the Red Devils.

Balogun, who has scored three goals in the US's campaign to date, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win.

A red card triggers an automatic one-game suspension, but American players learned of Balogun's availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday from their hotel to training.

"I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first," defender Chris Richards said. "We weren't sure if it was true or not."

Mr Trump praised FIFA's decision. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly sought to build a close relationship with Mr Trump, even awarding him the FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw.

The New York Times reported Mr Trump phoned Infantino during the week asking him to review Balogun's red card. An AP source confirmed that a call came from the White House but did not state who specifically made it.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Mr Trump said in a social media post.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished".

"The decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations," it said in a statement.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

Balogun's red card and suspension for the Round of 16 match had been one of the most controversial and consequential decisions of the World Cup.

"If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all," US star Christian Pulisic said.

"I felt like there were much worse ones that went on in this tournament."

The US Soccer Federation learned of the decision in a message sent by FIFA in its portal at 10:31 a.m. EDT.

"The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," FIFA announced.

"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."

The USSF said it would not make Balogun available for comment on Sunday, but Balogun posted a picture on social media of himself in front of US fans, overlaid with music from Michael Jackson's pop single "Bad."

FIFA said its decision relied on Article 27 of the disciplinary committee rules.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years," the rule states.

This is the first time since the World Cup introduced cards in the 1970 tournament that a player has received a red card and been able to play the next game.

In November, FIFA deferred the final two games of a three-match ban for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo for a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play at the start of the World Cup.

Brazil's Garrincha was ejected from a 1962 semifinal but allowed to play in the final against Chile after political pressure.