Folarin Balogun, the leading scorer for the United States men’s national soccer team at the 2026 World Cup, will be eligible to play in Monday's round-of-16 match against Belgium following a suspended one-game ban issued by FIFA. Balogun’s suspension stemmed from a straight red card he received during the round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemović. The decision to lift the ban is highly unusual and marks the first time since 1962 that a World Cup red card did not result in an automatic suspension.

The reversal followed direct intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino shortly after the match to request a review of the red card. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump sought clarification on the disciplinary ruling and furnished additional evidence for FIFA’s disciplinary committee to consider. President Trump praised the decision on social media, saying, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

FIFA’s announcement on Sunday stated that the implementation of Balogun’s suspension had been suspended on a probationary basis for one year. Under this conditional ruling, if Balogun commits a similar offense in that period, the original suspension will be enforced alongside any new penalties. The decision was based on provisions within Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, allowing for full or partial suspension of sanctions under exceptional circumstances.

The U.S. Soccer Federation welcomed the decision, confirming Balogun’s availability and applauding FIFA’s move. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino described the initial red card as “completely unfair” and suggested the ruling was excessively punitive given that the team had already played with 10 men for the better part of the previous match. Balogun himself had previously expressed his view that a yellow card would have been a fairer assessment, citing the incident as unintentional.

Balogun, 25, who was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and raised in London, represents Monaco at club level and has established himself as a key player for the United States since switching national team allegiance from England in 2023. His three goals thus far in the tournament make him the American top scorer, tied with Landon Donovan’s World Cup record.

The decision sparked strong reactions internationally. The Royal Belgian Football Association described the ruling as “astonishing” and announced it was exploring all options to protect the principles of fair play. Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia publicly mocked the ruling, comparing it to an April Fools’ joke and criticizing FIFA for undermining the sport’s integrity and ethics. Similarly, Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken called the reversal a “bad decision.” Garcia declined to comment on possible appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or to speculate on the influence Trump may have had on FIFA’s decision.

The case recalls past instances of disciplinary leniency, such as Brazil’s Garrincha playing in the 1962 final despite a prior red card after political lobbying. FIFA’s current move highlights ongoing debates about the balance of fairness, discipline, and external influence in world soccer, particularly in a tournament shadowed by raised scrutiny on refereeing and governance.

As the United States prepares to face Belgium in Seattle, Balogun’s return provides a boost to a team aiming to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The match carries high stakes, with the U.S. seeking to overcome a capable Belgian squad that handed them a heavy defeat in a recent friendly earlier this year.