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Or sign-in if you have an account.Folarin Balogun, left, and teammate Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts to him receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between last Wednesday. Photo by Charlotte Wilson /GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPPresident Donald Trump on Sunday thanked FIFA for suspending Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban and allowing the U.S. striker to play in the World Cup co-hosts’ last-16 showdown against Belgium.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. 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Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorBalogun had been set to miss Monday’s match after controversially being shown a straight red card following a VAR review in the last-32 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on the foot of defender Tarik Muharemovic as the U.S. won 2-0.Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player’s team.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againBut football governing body FIFA said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a surprise move for which no specific explanation was offered.“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP( TS: Jul 5 2026, 1:14 PM ET )​​​‍​​‌‍​​‌‍​​​​​​​‌‍​​​​​​​​​‌‍​​​​​​​‌‍​​​​​​​​​‌‍​​​​​‌‍​​​​​​​​​​‌‍​‌‍​​​​​​‌‍​​​​​​​​‌‍​​‌‍​​​‌‍​​‌‍​​​​‌‍​​​​​​‌‍​​​‌‍ pic.twitter.com/rHJRnc8hto— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 5, 2026Balogun has been key to the USA’s progress in the tournament and his absence against Belgium would have been a blow to the team in the game in Seattle.He has netted three times for the U.S. this World Cup, including his brace in the opener against Paraguay.U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun should “never” have received a red card for the incident, insisting his player had simply been “fighting for the ball” and the contact was not intentional.Pochettino said at the time it “should be fair” to appeal the decision.But after being informed a FIFA spokesman had said the ban could not be appealed, the U.S. coach had appeared to accept he would have to consider “different options” to lead his team’s attack against Belgium.Balogun himself told reporters on Friday the red card ban was “something I have to just accept” and that he was focused on simply supporting his teammates from the stands.The decision to suspend the ban was taken by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.FIFA’s decision came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had called for the card to be rescinded.‘Boost’“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” a FIFA statement said.“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”There is some precedent for the decision.Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Ireland for an elbow during a qualifying match for this World Cup.The subsequent three-game ban meant the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was due to miss the opening two games of the 2026 World Cup.But FIFA let him off the hook by suspending two matches of his ban.Balogun’s teammates on Sunday welcomed the move.“Obviously, for us it gives us a boost,” star forward Christian Pulisic told reporters in Seattle at training, The Athletic reported.“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” said U.S. Soccer in a statement.“Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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