Trump intervention prompts FIFA to lift suspension of US striker Balogun ahead of Belgium clash

US President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA to request a review of a red card suspension handed to US footballer Folarin Balogun, leading the global governing body to unexpectedly lift the ban, it has emerged.

Belgian football authorities have reportedly been granted the right to appeal the FIFA decision, which overturned a one-match suspension given to Balogun, a striker for the US Men’s National Team.

The two teams are scheduled to face each other tonight at 03:00 Turkish time (TRT) in a Round of 16 fixture. The winner of the match will advance to the quarterfinals to play either Portugal or Spain.

Trump welcomed the decision by FIFA, which enables the 25-year-old Balogun to play in tonight’s match against Belgium in Seattle despite receiving a red card during Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and correcting a major injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

According to a report by The Athletic, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has been granted the right to formally appeal the decision.

Sources told the publication that to avoid any conflict of interest, Belgium’s appeal will be evaluated by a member of the FIFA Appeal Committee who does not represent any federation from Europe or the Americas.

UEFA, the governing body of European football, is expected to issue a statement on the matter later today.

On Wednesday, Balogun received a controversial red card for a foul, resulting in the top US goalscorer being sent off during his team’s 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The red card carried an automatic, immediate one-match suspension, which traditionally allowed no right of appeal.

However, for the first time in more than 60 years of World Cup match history, FIFA announced it would allow Balogun to play in the subsequent fixture.

“The automatic match suspension imposed on the US player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,” FIFA said in a statement on Sunday.

Citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code, FIFA stated: “The judicial body may decide to suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure fully or closely.”

The New York Times, citing three people familiar with the conversation, reported that Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to request a review of Balogun’s suspension.

Sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs first reported that the White House had contacted Infantino for this purpose.

MS NOW confirmed that Trump called the FIFA president. Citing a US official, MS NOW reported that during the call, Trump sought to better understand why Balogun was shown the red card and why it resulted in a suspension.

The official said the US government submitted “additional evidence” to FIFA, and the federation’s Disciplinary Committee utilized this information in the process that led to the lifting of Balogun’s suspension.

According to officials, the government focused on the fact that referees reviewed slow-motion replays before the red card was shown.

“Ultimately, a correct and appropriate result was achieved,” the official told MS NOW.

The Royal Belgian Football Association stated it was “astonished” by FIFA’s change of stance regarding Balogun’s suspension and argued that the move violated FIFA’s written regulations.

The federation said it was “exploring all possible options.”

Trump has been heavily involved in the tournament, which the US is co-hosting alongside Mexico and Canada. The president maintains a close relationship with FIFA President Infantino.

Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure, made public last week, revealed that Infantino gifted Trump 10 tickets worth $15,000 for the FIFA Club World Cup final held last July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Trump attended the match, in which Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, and appeared on the pitch alongside Infantino to present the trophy.