​FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a red card as he meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo. The United States advanced past the Round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a hard-fought match. Balogun, the USMNT’s top scorer in the tournament, received a red card in the 64th minute, forcing the team to finish with 10 players. The dismissal also meant Balogun would be suspended for the Round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday, until news broke on Sunday that FIFA would lift the suspension, allowing him to play against Belgium. FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced: “The following sanction is imposed on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun, who was sent off for a direct red card in the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: One-match suspension for breaches of articles 14 and 66 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC).” In accordance with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the match suspension is suspended for a one-year probationary period. If Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probation, the suspension shall be activated and the sanction enforced, in addition to any other punishment for the new offense. On Monday, United States President Donald Trump confirmed his involvement in restoring Balogun’s eligibility. “I saw the play, and I love sports… that wasn’t a foul, that wasn’t even an infraction,” he said. “This referee, who is a bit suspect if you check his past, made a call nobody could believe.” He added that Balogun is one of the team’s best players and that he requested a review by FIFA. Trump commented on Balogun: “I saw the play, and I’m a person who loves sports… that wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction… this referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call that nobody could believe… he’s our best player, or one of our best.” The post drew criticism, with supporters arguing the situation represented a historic stain for FIFA. Some fans accused FIFA of exploiting fan passion to boost SEO, while others suggested the referee’s perceived bias demonstrated a broader problem with officiating.