FIFA lifts US star striker Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino

Key Points:

• U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to have American forward Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension lifted, allowing him to play in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium.
• Balogun received a red card for stepping on an opponent’s ankle during the round of 32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension that FIFA later lifted, an unprecedented decision since 1962.
• FIFA suspended the implementation of Balogun’s suspension for a one-year probationary period, stating any similar future infractions would result in the original sanction being enforced.
• The decision sparked outrage from Belgium’s team and coach, who criticized FIFA’s integrity and ethics, while U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino and players praised the reversal as fair.
• Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, switched national allegiance from England to the U.S. in 2023 and is a key player for the American team aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.