​Folarin Balogun emerged as the United States men’s national team’s breakout star during the 2026 World Cup. He was also at the center of one of the tournament’s biggest disputes, the second act of which came with a bittersweet realization.Once the 25-year-old AS Monaco striker learned that the red-card suspension he was supposed to serve during the Round of 16 had actually been suspended itself, he was met with instant euphoria and eventual concern.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it’s something that’s so unique,” Balogun told CBS Mornings on Tuesday.“The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise, and that’s hard to avoid.”The change in punishment arrived one day before the UMSNT’s highly anticipated knockout round match versus Belgium, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. Belgium’s soccer governing body was appalled by FIFA’s decision. It released a statement, questioning the ruling and pointing to a contradiction within the FIFA Disciplinary Code.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe fallout of Balogun’s sudden availability fostered more than just soccer discourse, however. It sprouted political conversation as soon as reports surfaced detailing that U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino midweek and asked the World Cup governing body to review Balogun’s ban. The following Monday, hours before the USMNT’s Round of 16 showdown in Seattle and a day after Balogun heard he was going to be able to play in that match, Trump confirmed his involvement.”All I did, I asked for a review, cause I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said at a White House media briefing. “I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.“If they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe among the best players, on the team to play, I think it would have had a big stain.”Trump added: “I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do. And I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision. And they made the right decision. …”It’s since been reported, though, that the determination to suspend Balogun’s red card was made solely by FIFA disciplinary chair Mohammad al-Kamali and without input from any of the 17 other members of his committee.Trump questioned the credentials of referee Raphael Claus, who administered Balogun the red card during the U.S.’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. That said, not everybody took issue with the punishment. Even former USMNT head coach Bruce Arena labeled the play for which Balogun