U.S. media reports President Donald Trump intervened to have striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension overturned in time for the round of 16 match against Belgium.
Balogun, the U.S’ leading goal scorer, was penalised during Thursday’s round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It’s the first time a red card at a World Cup has been reversed since 1962.
Belgium’s football association said it is “astonished”.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Balogun was born to Nigerian parents in New York, and grew up in London.
In 2023, he chose to play for the U.S. over Nigeria and England.
Balogun is a striker, or forward.
Strikers tend to score the most goals of any football position.
In this year’s FIFA World Cup, Balogun scored twice in the group stage match against Paraguay, and once in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Red card
During Thursday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was redcarded for foul play against Tarik Muharemović.
According to FIFA rules, players who are red carded during the World Cup are ruled out for their team’s next match.
This meant Balogun was unavailable to play in U.S’ next match, in the round of 16 against Belgium, set for Monday (local time).
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Intervention
On Sunday (local time), FIFA said Balogun was now available to play against Belgium.
“The automatic match suspension for U.S. player Folarin Balogun is suspended for... one year,” it said.
It is the first red card to be overturned since the 1962 World Cup, when the Government of host country, Chile, petitioned FIFA to reverse a penalty against Brazilian winger Garrincha.
U.S. media reports Trump spoke to FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the suspension.
On Sunday (local time), Trump praised the decision on Truth Social.
Infantino and Trump’s friendship is well-documented. Trump referenced Infantino in a speech ahead of his 2025 inauguration, and facilitated Infantino’s visits to his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago and the Oval Office.
Last year, FIFA launched a Peace Prize. Infantino presented the inaugural award to Trump.
Response
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) released a statement saying it is “astonished” by the decision, which it believes contradicts the rules.
It said it is “investigating all potential options.”
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster also weighed in, saying: “Under Infantino there’s no longer such thing as an ‘independent FIFACommittee’.”
“Trump proudly proclaims how he influenced the unprecedented decision during a World Cup,” he said, adding: “What an embarrassment for football.”
