Donald Trump, FIFA and Balogun: The World Cup Controversy That Has Belgium Furious

The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card has taken a dramatic turn after reports confirmed that US President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the striker's suspension before football's governing body overturned the ban.

Balogun had been set to miss the United States' FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Instead, FIFA suspended the implementation of his one-match ban, clearing the Monaco forward to feature on Monday and triggering a fierce backlash from Belgium.

Donald Trump personally contacted Gianni Infantino over Balogun suspension

According to The New York Times, ANI and other reports citing multiple people familiar with the discussions, Trump called Infantino shortly after Balogun's dismissal on Wednesday and requested that FIFA review the decision.

The report underlines the unprecedented political spotlight surrounding the incident. Moments after FIFA announced its verdict on Sunday, Trump celebrated the outcome on social media, writing:

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

FIFA later confirmed that Balogun's suspension had been placed on hold under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows judicial bodies to suspend the implementation of disciplinary sanctions during a probationary period.

Under the ruling, Balogun will remain available unless he commits a similar offence during a one-year probationary period, at which point the original suspension could be reinstated alongside any fresh punishment.

Belgium question FIFA's decision after Balogun ban is lifted

The timing of FIFA's intervention has sparked criticism from Belgium, who now face the United States with one of the tournament's most influential forwards back in the starting picture.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished" by the decision and confirmed it was examining all available legal options.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia also questioned the integrity of the process.

"I didn't know that in the offices of FIFA the 5th of July was the 1st of April in Europe," Garcia said.

He stopped short of directly accusing Trump of influencing FIFA but insisted Belgium's concerns extended beyond a single fixture.

"The Belgian federation does not defend itself. It protects football in general. It protects its integrity and its ethics."

Those comments reflect the wider concern that FIFA's intervention could set a significant precedent during the World Cup, particularly given the automatic nature of suspensions following straight red cards.

Why FIFA overturned Balogun's automatic World Cup suspension

Balogun was dismissed after accidentally stepping on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović during the Round of 32 victory.

The incident immediately divided opinion, with many in the United States arguing the challenge lacked intent and warranted only a yellow card.

US captain Christian Pulisic echoed that view ahead of the Belgium fixture.

"If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all. I felt like there were much worse ones that went on this tournament."

FIFA did not overturn the red card itself. Instead, it exercised its disciplinary powers to suspend the enforcement of the automatic one-match ban, allowing Balogun to remain eligible while placing him under probation.

What Balogun's return means for the United States

Balogun's availability is a significant boost for Mauricio Pochettino's side as they attempt to reach their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.

The 25-year-old has scored three goals during the tournament, matching the second-highest tally by an American in a single men's World Cup behind only Bert Patenaude's four in 1930. His performances have established him as the focal point of the US attack, making his availability particularly significant ahead of the knockout clash with Belgium.

The decision, however, is likely to remain one of the defining talking points of the tournament. While FIFA maintains it acted within its disciplinary regulations, the reported intervention from Trump and Belgium's public objections have ensured the debate now extends well beyond Balogun's red card itself.