United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review the one-match suspension handed to striker Folarin Balogun, saying the governing body made the “right decision” by allowing the forward to remain eligible for the World Cup.
Balogun had been due to miss the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the automatic one-game ban for 12 months, making the striker available for selection.
The decision has generated widespread debate, with several football authorities questioning the disciplinary process.
US president backs decision to lift ban
Speaking at the White House, Trump acknowledged that he had contacted FIFA over the incident because he disagreed with the referee’s decision.
“I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled,” Trump said.
He added that enforcing the suspension would have damaged the tournament.
“I think it would have left a big stain. I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
Decision continues to divide opinion
Balogun is the United States’ leading scorer at the 2026 World Cup, and his availability is seen as a major boost for Mauricio Pochettino’s side ahead of the knockout stages.
The striker was initially expected to serve an automatic suspension after being sent off during the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FIFA’s subsequent decision to suspend the ban marked a rare departure from the competition’s standard disciplinary procedure.
The ruling has attracted criticism from several quarters, with opponents arguing it could create uncertainty over how similar disciplinary cases are handled during the remainder of the tournament.
Despite the controversy, Balogun is now free to feature against Belgium as the United States seek a place in the quarter-finals.
