By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
Suspension Lifted Ahead of Knockout Clash
FIFA has suspended the one-match ban of United States striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was a joke when he first heard the news that the suspended striker was cleared to play in Monday’s match in Seattle.
Balogun was sent off during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 for a tackle that went unpenalized on the field but resulted in a red card after video review.
The red card automatically triggered a one-game suspension under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s World Cup rules.
FIFA Cites Disciplinary Code Article
FIFA cited Article 27 of its code of discipline, which allows a judicial body to fully or partially suspend a disciplinary measure, with the sanction enforced only if the player commits a similar infringement during a probationary period.
FIFA’s statement noted the implementation of the match suspension was suspended for a probationary period of one year.
Belgium Reacts With Anger
At a news conference on Sunday, Garcia said, “I didn’t know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first of April — it’s April Fools’ [Day].”
He clarified that his objection wasn’t about shielding his own squad or federation, but about upholding the sport’s broader principles.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by the decision, arguing it contradicted rules FIFA itself had set for the tournament, and stated it was investigating all potential options.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said earlier notice of the decision would have helped the team prepare mentally, though he added it would not change their focus on the match.
White House Involvement Reported
The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked for the World Cup governing body to review Balogun’s ban.
Trump subsequently voiced approval of the reversal on his Truth Social account, framing it as a correction of an unfair outcome.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, reportedly helped recruit lawyers and communicated with U.S. officials on the matter.
FIFA has Belgium maintained that political influence played no role in the reversal, pointing instead to the independent nature of its disciplinary panel.
UEFA and Other Coaches Weigh In
UEFA also criticized the Belgium decision, warning that when rule enforcement becomes inconsistent, it threatens the game’s integrity and the credibility of the competition.
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken described the reversal as a serious error by FIFA, pointing out that VAR review had already confirmed the sending-off, and suggested Belgium’s frustration would only deepen if Balogun were to score in the match.
The reversal is reportedly only the second known instance of FIFA lifting a World Cup red-card suspension, the first being Brazil’s Garrincha in the 1962 final.
U.S. Soccer released a statement saying it accepted the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and was focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
USA vs Belgium Round of 16 match preview
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