Balogun Ban Suspended by FIFA After Trump Intervention
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- FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban for a probationary year under article 27 of its disciplinary code, clearing the US striker for the World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium.
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social thanking FIFA for "reversing a great injustice" and signing off as "President DONALD J. TRUMP," describing himself as a friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
- Marco Rubio said the US team "got screwed with that red card" at a news conference and called for an appeal process, noting it was "probably too late."
- Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the US's 2-0 last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed a VAR replay showing the forward's boot land on defender Tarik Muharemovic's ankle.
- Balogun has scored twice at the tournament for Mauricio Pochettino's side, including the opener against Bosnia, after a 4-1 group-stage win over Paraguay.
- FIFA cleared Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal's tournament opener by suspending the remainder of his three-match qualifying red-card ban on November 25, a recent precedent for leniency.
Why it matters: Balogun's availability directly affects the US co-hosts' chances of advancing past Belgium in the knockout round — he is their joint-top scorer at the tournament with two goals. FIFA's use of article 27 probation creates a precedent that any future similar infringement during the year would revoke the suspension, leaving the striker on a disciplinary tightrope through the rest of 2026.
