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FIFA has come under intense scrutiny after suspending the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, with coaches and football observers raising concerns over the decision following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump intervened.
Balogun received a straight red card after a VAR review during the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that ordinarily carries an automatic suspension for the following match under FIFA competition rules.
Despite the sanction, FIFA announced on Sunday that enforcement of the striker’s suspension had been deferred for a one-year probationary period, allowing him to feature in the last-16 encounter against Belgium while the red card remains on his disciplinary record.
Football’s world governing body said the move was made under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which permits its judicial bodies to postpone the execution of certain disciplinary penalties in exceptional circumstances.
According to Reuters, President Trump urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a telephone conversation to reconsider Balogun’s dismissal.
The decision prompted a swift response from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which described the ruling as “astonishing” and questioned its compatibility with both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations.
The federation added that it was assessing every available course of action.
Thomas Tuchel also voiced reservations about the handling of the case.
While the England manager maintained that the challenge did not merit a red card, he argued that altering a disciplinary outcome after the referee and VAR had reached a verdict undermined consistency.
”To be clear, it was not a red card. VAR got involved. The decision is made. Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? It’s strange for me. We want consistency,” Tuchel said.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s decision, insisting the forward had been treated unfairly.
Pochettino argued that past disciplinary cases demonstrated FIFA’s ability to suspend sanctions under exceptional circumstances and reiterated that Balogun should not have been dismissed.
He added that although the striker’s return strengthens the squad, the team would not depend on any single individual.
Balogun has been among the United States’ top performers at the tournament, scoring three goals before his sending-off.
His availability is expected to provide a significant lift as the tournament co-hosts seek a place in the quarter-finals.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong