​The U.S. men’s national team received a notable boost ahead of its FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash with Belgium after FIFA, with reported input from Donald Trump, unexpectedly overturned Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, making the star striker eligible to play. Balogun had been facing an automatic suspension after receiving a controversial red card during the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The forward was sent off for stepping on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović’s foot, a decision that sparked widespread debate among players, fans, and analysts.
FIFA announced on Sunday that although Balogun’s suspension remains on the books, its enforcement has been deferred under a one-year probationary period. The governing body stated that the suspension would only be activated if Balogun commits another offense of a similar nature and severity during that time. The surprising ruling drew a response from Donald Trump, who publicly praised FIFA’s decision. Trump, who had received FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize from FIFA president Gianni Infantino in late 2025, posted on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
There are reports that Trump may have played a more direct role than simple praise. Several media outlets, including the Associated Press and ABC, cited the possibility that the White House contacted FIFA to urge Infantino to review the red card decision. The decision reportedly caught members of the U.S. squad off guard. Players first learned Balogun would be available while traveling by team bus to training after social media posts began circulating about FIFA’s ruling. U.S. defender Chris Richards recalled, “I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first. We weren’t sure if it was true or not.”
Balogun’s situation prompted further reflection within the squad, with forward Christian Pulisic voicing his thoughts on the original red card. “If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all,” Pulisic said. “I felt like there were much worse ones that went on this tournament.” Balogun has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup, tallying three goals through three matches. His goal against Bosnia matched Landon Donovan’s three-goal total at the 2010 World Cup, leaving him one behind Bert Patenaude’s U.S. single-tournament record of four goals set in 1930. The 25-year-old forward, who plays for AS Monaco, was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents before growing up in England. After representing England at the youth level, he switched his international allegiance to the United States in 2023 and has since become one of the USMNT’s most dangerous attacking threats.
The broader implications of Balogun’s changed status extend beyond a single match. If his provisional status holds through the probation period, the U.S. will be able to field their leading attacker as they push for advancement in the knockout rounds. The dynamics in the squad, already buoyed by Balogun’s form, could shift further with his involvement in the later stages of the tournament. As the U.S. team navigates the remainder of World Cup action, Balogun’s eligibility stands as a potentially decisive factor in their bid for a deep run on the world stage.