United States President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he personally lobbied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review a controversial red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The intervention, which led to the suspension of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, has triggered intense criticism from European football governing bodies and officials. Trump’s Direct Lobbying of … Read more
The U.S. men’s national soccer team will field striker Folarin Balogun against Belgium in Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 match in Seattle. The decision follows a FIFA disciplinary committee’s surprise ruling to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-game ban for a year-long probationary period, a move President Donald Trump confirmed he personally requested during a phone … Read more
Folarin Balogun is eligible to play for the United States against Belgium in Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match after FIFA suspended his automatic one-game ban. The governing body invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, placing the striker on a one-year probationary period following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Intervention and FIFA’s … Read more
"The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has launched an appeal against FIFA’s decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of transparency. Belgium’s challenge comes hours before the World Cup round-of-16 clash against the U.S., with the RBFA alleging FIFA “created an appeal” to ensure it would be … Read more
FIFA overturned the one-game suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun on Sunday, July 5, 2026, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium. The decision followed a reported phone call from President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino requesting a review of the red card Balogun received on July 1. … Read more
The United States men’s national team will feature forward Folarin Balogun in the starting lineup for Monday’s round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee reversed the one-game red card suspension Balogun received during the team’s round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to USA … Read more
FIFA’s decision to rescind a red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun has triggered a significant diplomatic and sporting controversy ahead of the team’s upcoming World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. The reversal, which followed high-level communication between U.S. political figures and international football governing bodies, has drawn sharp criticism from the Belgian … Read more
The status of Folarin Balogun has become the subject of intense international scrutiny following reports of a high-level intervention regarding his disciplinary standing. Multiple media outlets have reported that FIFA overturned a red card issued to Balogun during a recent match against Belgium, allegedly following communication between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino. The Origins of … Read more
“Following a controversial red card in the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. The decision, announced Sunday, allows Balogun to play in Monday’s match in Seattle after the governing body cited … Read more
Folarin Balogun received a straight red card during the United States men’s national team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara. The dismissal, confirmed via VAR by referee Raphael Claus, suspends the striker for the round-of-16 match against Belgium on July 6. The Foul: How Balogun Was Sent … Read more