President Donald Trump confirmed on July 6, 2026, that he asked FIFA to review the one-match suspension of Folarin Balogun, the United States striker, at the World Cup. Balogun, who is 25 years old, was facing a suspension for a red card received during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Initially set to miss the last-16 tie against Belgium, FIFA's unexpected decision to suspend the ban for 12 months has sparked criticism from various football authorities, including UEFA and England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel. Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, is now eligible to participate in the match in Seattle.
FIFA's Controversial Decision on Balogun
FIFA's ruling has raised eyebrows, especially from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which expressed astonishment over the decision. The RBFA stated that it contests Balogun's eligibility to play, following the dismissal of its appeal. FIFA's decision allows Balogun to play against Belgium, as there is no party to appeal this ruling.
Trump stated, "I think it [the suspension] 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." This intervention has led to discussions about the integrity of the game.
Reactions from UEFA and FIFA Officials
In response to Trump’s comments, UEFA emphasized that the integrity of football is at stake, stating that such interventions undermine the sport’s credibility. UEFA’s officials highlighted that only once in the history of the World Cup has a player escaped a suspension after receiving a red card.
