U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly applauded FIFA after the governing body suspended the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, making him eligible to feature in the country’s crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout encounter after receiving a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dismissal, which followed a VAR review, generated widespread debate among football pundits, supporters and former players, many of whom argued that the challenge was accidental rather than malicious.
In a dramatic twist on Sunday, FIFA announced that while the red card itself would remain on record, enforcement of the automatic one-match suspension had been deferred under disciplinary provisions. The decision means Balogun will be available for selection against Belgium but will remain on disciplinary probation for the next year.
Trump welcomed the development in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing FIFA’s decision as a correction of what he considered an unfair punishment.
The president praised football’s world governing body for reviewing the incident and allowing one of America’s standout performers to continue participating in the tournament. His comments quickly attracted attention across social media as excitement built ahead of the knockout fixture.
Balogun has been one of the United States’ most influential players throughout the World Cup, scoring three goals and playing a central role in helping Mauricio Pochettino’s side advance to the last 16. His return is viewed as a significant boost for a team aiming to reach the quarter-finals on home soil.
The controversy began during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina when Balogun challenged defender Tarik Muharemović. Although the referee initially allowed play to continue, he later consulted the pitch-side monitor after intervention from the Video Assistant Referee before issuing a straight red card.
The decision sparked immediate criticism from fans and football analysts, who believed the contact appeared accidental and did not warrant a dismissal. Several former American internationals also questioned the interpretation of the incident, calling for greater consistency in VAR decisions.
Following FIFA’s latest ruling, Balogun expressed gratitude while maintaining that he never intended to harm his opponent. The striker reiterated his respect for match officials and said his focus is now entirely on preparing for Belgium.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino is also expected to welcome the decision, as Balogun’s pace, movement and finishing ability provide a major attacking threat against one of Europe’s strongest national teams.
Belgium, meanwhile, face a more formidable challenge with the American striker restored to the squad. The European side eliminated the United States at the same stage of the 2014 World Cup, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming contest.
The decision has also reignited discussions over FIFA’s disciplinary procedures and whether exceptional circumstances should allow controversial red-card suspensions to be reconsidered more frequently.
For the United States, however, the immediate focus is firmly on the pitch. With Balogun available once again, American supporters will hope their leading scorer can continue his impressive form and inspire the hosts to another memorable World Cup victory.
The Round of 16 showdown against Belgium is expected to be one of the tournament’s marquee fixtures, with both nations targeting a place in the quarter-finals and Balogun’s reinstatement adding even more anticipation to the encounter.
