United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) celebrates with teammate United States forward Folarin Balogun (20) after scoring against Paraguay in the first half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Friday, June 12, 2026.
Medianews Group/pasadena Star-news Via Getty Images | Medianews Group | Getty Images
President Donald Trump reportedly asked FIFA to review the one-match World Cup suspension of US national team striker Folarin Balogun before soccer’s world governing body surprisingly lifted his ban on Sunday.
Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision, which allowed Balogun, 25, to play against Belgium in Monday’s game in Seattle.
Balogun, the USA’s top scorer, received a controversial red card for foul play, which saw him sent off during his team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
That red card led to an immediate one-game suspension without appeal, as usual.
But FIFA, for the first time in more than 60 years of World Cup matches, said it would allow him to play in the next match. FIFA, in a statement on Sunday, said “the automatic suspension of USA player Folarin Balogun has been suspended for a one (1) year probationary period.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension, citing three people familiar with the conversation. Sportscaster Ben Jacobs first reported that the White House called Infantino for that purpose.
MS NOW confirmed that Trump called the FIFA boss.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC when asked about Trump’s involvement in the situation.
But Trump wrote, “Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing, and reversing a great injustice!” on his Social Truth account.
The Belgian Royal Football Association said in a statement that it was “surprised” by the way FIFA spoke about Balogun’s suspension, saying it violated FIFA’s written rules.
“The RBFA is investigating all possible avenues,” said the association.
Trump played a major role in the tournament, which the United States hosts in cooperation with Mexico and Canada.
He enjoyed a close relationship with Infantino, the FIFA president, who awarded Trump his first peace prize last year, after the president aggressively pursued and failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Team USA will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday in a Round of 16 game at 8 pm EST. The winner of that match will punch his ticket to play against Portugal or Spain in the quarterfinals.
Balogun, who has scored three goals in three matches in which he has appeared in this World Cup, is born in America and grew up in the United Kingdom.
Trump last week lost a case in the Supreme Court against citizenship, the majority of the judges decided that people born in the US are American citizens. Trump last year issued an executive order that sought to severely restrict birthright citizenship.
