In an unprecedented move, FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's red-card ban for the US World Cup match against Belgium, following a personal appeal from President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This decision has ignited controversy, with Belgium expressing astonishment and questioning FIFA's adherence to its own rules. The striker can now play, but the incident highlights the intersection of politics and football governance.

Trump reportedly spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the organization suspended a U.S. player's red card.

On Sunday, FIFA unexpectedly suspended the mandatory one-match ban stemming from Balogun's recent red card, providing a massive boost to the USMNT.

U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match…

MIAMI: United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday (Jul 5) in an…

MIAMI: United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday (Jul 5) in an…

MIAMI/SEATTLE, July 5 : United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday in an…

MIAMI/SEATTLE, July 5 : United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for their World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on…

Folarin Balogun had originally been ruled out after receiving a red card during Wednesday's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round of 32. | Sports News

FIFA cleared US star striker Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup co-hosts' showdown with Belgium despite his red-card ban after a personal phone call from President Donald…

The White House made a call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to a source.

FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun's red card suspension after President Trump reportedly called FIFA President Infantino, raising major sports governance

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Donald Trump said in a social media post after the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card…

Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension.

President Trump reportedly called Fifa's Infantino to review disqualification

The Belgian FA reacted with ‘astonishment’ at the news that USA will be able to call upon their banned star striker for the last-16 tie

US President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the World Cup suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, a source familiar with the matter…

The striker was shown a red card in the round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.

FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's suspension after Donald Trump urged a review, allowing him to face Belgium and sparking outrage from Belgian officials.

US President Donald Trump reportedly called Gianni Infantino to ask him to lift Falorin Balogun's red card ban to allow him to play against Belgium. The Belgian FA has called the…

FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension after a review prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump, clearing the American striker to face Belgium in the Round of 16.