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Trump thanks Fifa after USA striker Balogun’s ban suspended
05th July, 2026 11:26 PM
Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa.
The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0.
Fifa said the automatic one-match ban will be suspended for a year.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it is “astonished” by Fifa’s decision and is “investigating all potential options” in response.
“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,” world governing body Fifa said in a statement.
“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.”
US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social.
Trump, a friend of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
USA forward Christian Pulisic said the squad learned the one-game ban had been suspended on the bus to training on Sunday and said Balogun was “super happy”.
Pulisic added: “Just a big smile on his face and all of ours. The foul wasn’t what it was, it was harsh.”
The RBFA pointed out all previous red cards issued at this World Cup have automatically resulted in a suspension and that Fifa’s decision is in “direct contradiction” of the competition regulations, which were “explicitly reaffirmed” by the governing body to all participating nations in May.
It added: “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this Fifa World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
