Unwelcome and undue: Trump’s red-card intervention hurts the US’s World Cup more than it helps | Pablo Iglesias Maurer

FIFA Lifts Balogun Suspension for US-Belgium World Cup Match Following Reported Contacts

The 1962 World Cup featured a disciplinary hearing for Brazilian forward Garrincha after he received a red card in the semifinal. At the time FIFA rules did not impose an automatic one-match ban, so a committee reviewed the case before the final. Reports from that tournament indicate the assistant referee was unavailable for the hearing and that Chilean President Jorge Alessandri contacted FIFA officials. Garrincha played in the final, which Brazil won.

On July 5, 2026, reports emerged that US President Donald Trump placed calls to FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the one-match suspension issued to US forward Folarin Balogun. Balogun had been sent off in the group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 after video review showed contact with an opponent’s ankle. The US Soccer Federation had already sought clarification on the decision. FIFA subsequently suspended the ban until after the tournament concluded.

FIFA rules permit the organization to lift or defer suspensions in certain cases. The same provision was applied before the 2026 tournament to players including Cristiano Ronaldo who had received sanctions in qualifying or prior competitions. Application of the rule during the tournament itself had not occurred in previous editions.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino stated on July 6 that the team welcomed the decision. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia told reporters he was unaware the ruling would occur in July and described it as unexpected. The Belgian football federation announced it was examining possible responses under FIFA statutes. FIFA communications stated that the disciplinary committee followed its established procedures and that the bylaws authorize the outcome. Officials declined to comment on external contacts, citing the confidential nature of the process.

Balogun had started all group matches for the United States and recorded the team’s opening goal of the tournament. The US advanced from the group stage with three wins and one draw. Belgium finished second in its group and prepared for the round-of-16 fixture without two players already ruled out by injury.

Public statements from US supporters and some domestic media outlets expressed relief at Balogun’s availability. International coverage noted the timing of the decision and the reported involvement of the US president. FIFA’s disciplinary code, Article 56, allows the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to review sanctions when new information or exceptional circumstances are presented; the organization cited this provision without releasing the full text of its internal deliberations.

Infantino and Trump have met on multiple occasions since 2017, including at events promoting the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. FIFA has described these meetings as part of routine tournament preparation. No public record shows Infantino commenting directly on the Balogun case.

The United States will face Belgium on July 7 in Atlanta. FIFA has not announced further changes to its disciplinary procedures for the remainder of the competition. The Belgian federation’s review is expected to conclude within the timeframe set by FIFA statutes for protests of disciplinary rulings.