Published : 06 Jul 2026, 09:55 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:22 AM
US President Donald Trump has personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, who has since been cleared to play against Belgium despite receiving a red card, The New York Times reports.
Citing three people familiar with the conversation, the Manhattan-based newspaper said Trump called Infantino on Wednesday, shortly after Balogun was sent off during the United States' World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
NYT broke the story of the phone call, after FIFA announced that Balogun would be eligible to face Belgium after placing the enforcement of his one-match suspension on probation.
The decision is highly unusual and marks the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a match despite what would normally have been a suspension, the report said.
The world football governing body said the decision was taken under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, placing the suspension on probation for a year.
The world football governing body said that if Balogun commits "another infringement of a similar nature and gravity" during that period, the suspension will be reinstated alongside any further sanction.
Neither FIFA nor Belgian football federation President Pascale Van Damme responded to requests for comment.
The White House referred the newspaper to Trump's Truth Social account.
In a post, Trump welcomed FIFA's decision, writing: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice."
He did not mention his reported phone call with Infantino or claim credit for the reversal.
Balogun was shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that ordinarily carries a one-match suspension.
His availability is a significant boost for the United States as it seeks to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.
NYT noted that FIFA has previously faced scrutiny over disciplinary decisions involving high-profile players, citing Cristiano Ronaldo's eligibility at the start of the tournament despite an earlier red card.
