FIFA's unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban has ignited a fierce debate at the FIFA World Cup 2026, drawing criticism from rival teams and coaches even as the United States welcomed the move ahead of its Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

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

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 will be available for their World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on…

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…

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…

Balogun's U.S. teammates said they found about it on the bus to training. "I thought it was AI at first," defender Chris Richards said.

Comment: The shock ‘suspension’ of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for the USA’s World Cup clash against Belgium once again raises serious questions about sporting integrity on…

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…

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

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.

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.

Trump's intervention? FIFA sparks World Cup firestorm by reinstating Folarin Balogun

An reported intervention by US President Donald Trump to clear American World Cup striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium on Monday has kicked off a furious row at the…

Under FIFA rules, a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban that cannot be appealed.