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President Donald Trump praised FIFA on Sunday after the governing body suspended U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, making him eligible to play in Monday night’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote on Truth Social after FIFA announced its decision.
Balogun had received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under FIFA World Cup rules, the dismissal automatically carried a one-match suspension, sidelining the Americans’ leading scorer for the knockout round.
FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend enforcement of the ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing Balogun to face Belgium.
The organization said Balogun will remain on probation for one year. If he commits a similar offense during that period, the suspended ban will be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary action.
The decision surprised many observers because FIFA officials had initially indicated the automatic suspension could not be appealed. However, the disciplinary committee exercised its authority to suspend enforcement of the sanction, a mechanism previously used in other cases, including one involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
The red card drew criticism from players, coaches and analysts. Balogun initially received no card after colliding with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic while chasing a loose ball. Referee Raphael Claus changed the decision following a video review, ruling the challenge amounted to serious foul play.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino disagreed with the decision.
“For me? Never a red card,” Pochettino said after the match. “Never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident.”
News of FIFA’s decision spread through the U.S. team as players traveled to training at the University of Washington.
Balogun enters Monday’s match as the United States’ leading scorer with three World Cup goals, including the game-winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has recorded at least one goal contribution in every World Cup match he has played.
The United States will face Belgium for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, with the winner advancing to the tournament’s final eight.