How US player got World Cup suspension overturned as Trump thanks FIFA for 'reversing a great injustice'

The World Cup has been mired in yet another controversy.

While the football itself has remained extraordinary - typified by England's epic victory over Mexico - there has been a string of off-field decisions that have baffled fans.

From the treatment of the Iran team to the inclusion of hydration breaks and FIFA's attempt to bring England's game at the Azteca forward by six hours with little notice.

The latest, however, may be the most contentious yet, as the USA striker Folarin Balogun has had his one-game suspension for a red card suspended with little explanation.

Balogun has been the co-host nation's star striker in the World Cup, but he was sent off in their last 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after raking his studs down the achilles of Tarik Muharemovic.

But now, instead of missing the last 16 tie against Belgium, Balogun has been cleared to play in the match in an unprecedented decision from FIFA that has been slammed by many.

Well, apart from inside the White House, as Donald Trump is understood to have played a part in the decision.

How the USA got Folarin Balogun's suspension overturned

The on-field referee initially didn't give the red card to Balogun, only sending him off after an intervention from VAR.

This has seemingly been the basis for the decision to suspend Balogun's ban.

The New York Post reports that U.S. Soccer 'threatened legal action against FIFA for incorrectly applying its video assistant referee process.'

Their arguments reportedly centred on the VAR use of slow-motion replays, which by FIFA guidelines should be used to identify points of contact on a foul rather than intent or severity.

Former Select Group referee Andy Davies had previously said VAR protocol was applied incorrectly when making the decision, telling ESPN: "VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation.

"Once at the screen, however, it would have been a surprise if the referee did not send off Balogun considering the pictures he was presented by VAR."

The rules around red cards

Of course, in football, you don't have to have meant a bad foul to have been sent off for it. In fact, the majority of red cards are accidents.

Earlier in the tournament, Qatar's Assim Madibo accidentally broke Canada's Ismael Kone's leg. Though many think the injury was a case of bad luck rather than severe rule-breaking from Madibo, he still has to serve a five-game suspension.

FIFA's rules state that a suspension can not be appealed, but reportedly a group led by U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson and COO Dan Helfrich fought the suspension and threatened to take FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It never went as far as that, though.

Instead, the Daily Mail reports, Donald Trump personally rang FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the shock announcement was confirmed.

Trump took to Truth Social to thank FIFA for reversing the decision, writing: "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

It's added that commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and White House task force head Andrew Giuliani were also involved in challenging the red card.

In justifying their decision, FIFA pointed towards article 27 in their rulebook, which allows them to suspend the implementation of disciplinary action at will.

"In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," the statement read.

"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

Belgium furious with FIFA's Balogun decision

Unsurprisingly, Belgium have reacted furiously to the news that Balogun will be available to play against them, saying they are 'astonished' by the ruling.

In an official statement, the Royal Belgian Football Association said they are: "Astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

"FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

"However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

"Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:

"If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.

"The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

"The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

Manager Rudi Garcia echoed the sentiment: "I didn’t know that at the World Cup July 5th is now April 1st - April Fool’s Day. We’re defending football and its ethics."

This isn't the first time FIFA have suspended a ban, having done so for Cristiano Ronaldo after he was suspended for three games for violent conduct. However, it was reduced to one so he wouldn't miss any games at the World Cup.

England may well be wondering if they can get Jarell Quansah's suspension overturned, after the defender was sent off against Mexico by VAR.

This year has seen some changes to the way VAR can be used, along with several other controversial new regulations...

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalize players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.

LADbible Group has approached FIFA for comment.