President Donald Trump referred to as the pinnacle of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and requested him to evaluate the pink card suspension of U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun, sources aware of the state of affairs advised ABC Information.
Balogun can be eligible to play within the USMNT’s World Cup spherical of 16 match in opposition to Belgium on Monday after the striker’s controversial one-game pink card suspension was placed on maintain by FIFA.
FIFA stated on Sunday that “the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary interval of 1 yr.”
Trump’s name with Infantino befell final week, in keeping with the sources.
Balogun was given the pink card throughout the second half of the U.S. match in opposition to Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1 after clashing with an opposing participant’s foot. The penalty led to Balogun being ejected from the sport and routinely landed him a one-game suspension. FIFA advised ABC Information on the time that the decision by the referee was remaining and never in a position to be overturned or appealed.
The soccer governing physique added Sunday that if Balogun “commits one other infringement of the same nature and gravity throughout the probationary interval, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced with out prejudice to any further sanction imposed for the brand new infringement.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 01: Folarin Balogun #20 of america celebrates scoring his staff’s first purpose throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spherical of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Space Stadium on July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photos)
Jamie Squire/Getty Photos
“The Royal Belgian Soccer Affiliation (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s choice to declare suspended United States participant Folarin Balogun eligible to play” in Monday’s match, the RBFA stated in an announcement Sunday, partially.
The assertion additional stated that the “FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly supplies {that a} pink card (sending-off) routinely leads to a suspension for the staff’s subsequent match, as has been the case for all earlier pink playing cards issued throughout this FIFA World Cup.”
“With a view to safeguard the official rights of all taking part groups and to guard the basic ideas of truthful play in our sport, each at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the match, the RBFA is investigating all potential choices,” the assertion concluded.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino advised reporters after final week’s match, which the U.S. received 2-0, that Balogun was “disillusioned” by the decision and that the conflict was not intentional, in keeping with ESPN.
U.S. Soccer stated in an announcement Sunday that it accepted and was “happy” with the choice of FIFA’s disciplinary committee to droop the one-game ban.
“Our full consideration is targeted on the Spherical of 16 match in opposition to Belgium in Seattle, and we stay up for the continued help of our wonderful followers,” U.S. Soccer stated.
President Donald Trump posted on his social media account, “Thanks to FIFA for doing what was proper, and reversing an incredible injustice!”
The U.S. and Belgium will face off Monday at 8 p.m. ET from Seattle Stadium.
-ABC Information’ Christiane Cordero and Nic Uff contributed to this report.
