This was a major win for Trump and America.
President Donald Trump is celebrating what many supporters see as a major victory for Team USA after FIFA reversed one of the most talked-about disciplinary decisions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move clears American striker Folarin Balogun to play in the United States’ crucial Round of 16 showdown against Belgium, giving the U.S. one of its most dangerous offensive weapons at the most important stage of the tournament.
The decision quickly became one of the biggest stories in international soccer, drawing praise from Trump and criticism from Belgian officials while fueling debate about how FIFA handles disciplinary rulings during the World Cup.
According to a White House source familiar with the matter, Trump personally spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino after Balogun received a controversial red card during Team USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. While FIFA has not publicly connected its ruling to that conversation, the organization’s announcement on Sunday dramatically changed the outlook for the American squad.
FIFA confirmed that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had been lifted, making him eligible to take the field against Belgium in the knockout round at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
For Team USA, the ruling represents a significant boost. Balogun has become one of the team’s most important attacking players, and losing him for a win-or-go-home match would have dealt a major blow to the Americans’ hopes of advancing deeper into the tournament.
Balogun originally received the red card after a challenge involving Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the United States’ 2-0 victory. Under normal FIFA rules, a player who is sent off automatically misses the team’s next match.
Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump praised the decision in a post on Truth Social.
The president thanked FIFA for what he described as correcting an unfair situation and said the organization had reversed “a great injustice.”
FIFA later explained that its Disciplinary Committee reviewed the incident and decided to suspend enforcement of Balogun’s automatic suspension under a one-year probationary period. That ruling allows the American striker to remain available while placing the disciplinary action on hold unless future violations occur.
The announcement immediately sparked backlash from Belgium, whose national team now faces a full-strength American lineup instead of one missing its starting striker.
Belgium’s football association released a statement expressing surprise over the ruling, arguing that FIFA’s disciplinary code has traditionally required players shown a red card to sit out their next match. Officials pointed to longstanding tournament precedent and said they were reviewing every available option following FIFA’s decision.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also voiced his frustration during a Sunday press conference, suggesting the reversal was difficult to understand and questioning why the disciplinary process appeared to change in such a high-profile case.
Despite the criticism, FIFA’s rules give its Disciplinary Committee authority to review and modify certain sanctions after further examination. While automatic suspensions are common following red cards, the governing body has exercised its discretion in previous cases involving elite international players.
There are several notable examples.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo previously benefited from a partially suspended disciplinary ban that allowed him to continue playing during a major international competition. FIFA has also deferred suspensions involving Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi and Ecuador midfielder Moisés Caicedo, allowing both players to remain available during important tournament matches.
Supporters of FIFA’s latest decision argue that Balogun’s case follows an established pattern rather than creating an entirely new precedent.
The ruling also highlights Trump’s growing relationship with FIFA leadership as the United States prepares to play a central role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Last December, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, praising the president during a ceremony introducing the new award.
Infantino said Trump deserved to receive the first honor and pledged the support of the international soccer community while expressing optimism about the future of the sport.
The close relationship between Trump and FIFA leadership has received increased attention throughout the tournament, particularly as millions of fans around the world watch matches hosted across North America.
Why Balogun’s Return Matters
For Team USA, Sunday’s announcement could have a major impact on the tournament.
Knockout matches leave no room for error, and every roster decision can influence the outcome. Balogun’s speed, finishing ability, and experience make him one of America’s most important attacking threats. Having him available gives the United States more offensive flexibility against a talented Belgian squad that has consistently ranked among the world’s strongest teams.
With both teams fighting for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, every opportunity to score becomes even more valuable.
Many American fans also see FIFA’s decision as reinforcing the importance of thoroughly reviewing controversial calls before they determine the outcome of a championship tournament.
As excitement builds ahead of kickoff, Team USA now enters one of its biggest matches in years with its full complement of attacking talent available.
Whether the United States can capitalize on that opportunity remains to be seen, but FIFA’s ruling has already become one of the defining stories of this year’s World Cup. For President Trump and many American supporters, the decision represents an important victory both on and off the field, while setting the stage for one of the tournament’s most highly anticipated matches.