Folarin Balogun received a straight red card for stepping on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic's ankle during USA's 2-0 victory in the World Cup round of 32 on 2 July 2026. Under FIFA's standard rules, the automatic one-match suspension should have followed. Instead, 72 hours later, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended the ban after Donald Trump directly called Gianni Infantino to lobby for a reversal — the first time in 64 years that a World Cup red-card sending-off has not resulted in an immediate suspension.

The decision carries immediate tactical weight. Balogun leads USA with 3 goals in 3 World Cup appearances, averaging a 7.37 rating — the team's joint-leading scorer and most critical attacker in the tournament. Had the suspension stood, Mauricio Pochettino would have deployed Ricardo Pepi, a forward who has not scored in four World Cup games, as the main focal point against Belgium in Thursday's last-16 tie.

Trump calls Infantino, FIFA reverses the ban

Trump claimed direct credit for the reversal in public statements. "I'm the one that got them to do it," he told BBC Sport. In a statement to independent.co.uk, he added: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code — a rarely used rule allowing judicial bodies to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure" — to justify the decision. Gianni Infantino later issued a lengthy defense of his role, insisting the conversation with Trump was purely procedural. "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving Fifa's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies," Infantino said. "That is how Fifa's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold."

However, the timing and the explicit nature of Trump's lobbying have triggered a firestorm within football. Belgium's appeal against the reversal was rejected on procedural grounds just hours before the scheduled kickoff, with FIFA stating the Belgian Football Association "is not a party to the proceedings."

Why this decision is contested

Two competing questions dominate the backlash: did Trump's call directly influence FIFA's decision, and was the original red card justified in the first place?

Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, articulated the broader integrity concern. "This is our sport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question," Klopp said. Sepp Blatter, FIFA's former president, offered a starker statement: "Football must never become a playground for political power."

Infantino has repeatedly defended the autonomy of FIFA's disciplinary process, stating that he "will always uphold" the principle of independent institutions. Yet his defense comes against a backdrop of earlier controversies: in December, Infantino presented Trump with an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize — the only recipient of this award to date — raising fresh questions about the organization's political neutrality.

Balogun's availability reshapes the USA-Belgium matchup

The suspension rather than outright overturning means Balogun will face Belgium in the last-16. This fundamentally alters USA's attacking profile against a Belgium side that finished the group stage with one win and two draws.

Belgium's results — a 5-1 victory over New Zealand, a 0-0 draw with Iran, and a 1-1 stalemate with Egypt — contrast sharply with USA's momentum. The Americans won three of their four group games and remain unbeaten in open play.

Balogun's three goals in three games have established him as a tournament breakthrough, and his presence on the pitch materially raises USA's chances of progressing deeper into the competition. Belgium must now prepare for a Balogun-led USA attack in Thursday's USA vs Belgium knockout tie—a fundamentally different proposition than facing Pepi alone.

FAQ

Can FIFA suspend automatic red-card bans?

FIFA's Article 27 rule allows judicial bodies to 'fully or partially suspend' disciplinary measures. Balogun's case is the first World Cup red-card reversal since 1962.

Did Trump's call directly influence FIFA's decision on Balogun?

Trump claimed credit, stating 'I'm the one that got them to do it.' Gianni Infantino insisted the conversation was purely procedural, with independent disciplinary bodies making the final decision. The timing and Trump's explicit lobbying have fueled debate over political influence in sport.

Will Balogun play in USA's match against Belgium?

Yes, Balogun will play. His ban was suspended by FIFA after Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino. The decision marks the first World Cup red-card suspension reversal since 1962.

How does Balogun's return affect USA's chances against Belgium?

Balogun's return significantly strengthens USA's attack. He leads the tournament with 3 goals in 3 games. His replacement, Ricardo Pepi, has not scored in four World Cup games, making Balogun's presence tactically critical to USA's progression.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →