FIFA has reversed the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun following a personal intervention by President Donald Trump, making the top scorer eligible for his team’s crucial World Cup match against Belgium.
The highly unusual decision, the first of its kind since 1962, came after Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card Balogun received against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun, the US team’s leading scorer this tournament, was sent off after a video review of a challenge.
The White House confirmed the conversation and said “the correct and proper outcome was achieved” following an independent review. Trump later posted on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice.”
Belgium’s football federation expressed fury at the ruling, saying it was “astonished” and would investigate options.
The move has raised questions about FIFA’s impartiality given Infantino’s close relationship with Trump. Balogun is expected to feature as the US seek to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.
