President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card against US striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports, and Trump later thanked the organization after it lifted the one-game suspension. The White House also lobbied FIFA, the Guardian understands, resulting in Sunday's announcement that Balogun would be available for the co-hosts' last-16 clash against Belgium on Monday night.
The decision gives the US a significant boost as it attempts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Balogun, the team's top tournament scorer with three goals, was originally benched after a controversial red card in the US's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Belgian officials reacted with fury. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia likened the decision to an April Fools' Day joke, and the Belgian FA said it would investigate all potential options, vowing to 'defend football.' Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois masked his reaction as a media officer read the statement in Seattle.
US fans and officials celebrated the reversal. Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right.' Breitbart reported a 'shocking reversal with mammoth implications' that sent US soccer fans 'berserk' — though polling on public opinion regarding the intervention remains unavailable.
Analysts note the nearly unprecedented nature of a suspension being rescinded after direct executive intervention, raising questions about the politicization of sports governance and the precedent for future World Cup disputes.