FIFA has a long history of controversy. This week, it added a new chapter.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended the enforcement of a red card issued to US Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun, placing his automatic one-match ban on a one-year probation under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The ruling came down on July 5-6, 2026, roughly a week after Balogun received the card during a round-of-32 World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 29.
The practical result: Balogun suited up for the US in their round-of-16 clash against Belgium.
The phone call that made it weird
President Donald Trump confirmed he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to push for a review of the foul, saying he did not believe it warranted a red card.
