The status of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun for the upcoming World Cup match against Belgium remains in doubt following an intervention by former President Donald Trump in a FIFA disciplinary decision.
Balogun, the U.S. team's top scorer in the tournament with three goals, was issued a straight red card during the team's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This resulted in an automatic one-match ban for the subsequent game.
Sources indicated that President Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to inquire about the red card and its associated suspension. Following this communication, FIFA announced on Sunday that it had suspended Balogun's ban for a one-year probationary period, contingent on no further offenses of similar nature or gravity.
Trump publicly thanked FIFA for what he described as "reversing a great injustice." He wrote on Truth Social, "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
However, the Belgium Football Association (RBFA) has confirmed it is challenging the player's eligibility for the match. Both the United States and Belgium were asked to provide information regarding the appeal by 5 a.m. PST on Monday, with the game scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. PST. A member of FIFA's appeals committee has been selected to hear the case.
"Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defense of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole," the federation stated.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seated next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during the match where Balogun received the red card.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed approval of FIFA's initial decision to revoke the ban, stating, "We celebrate that decision. This is good for football, to celebrate [that] in the next game if an unfair thing happens you can reverse the decision."
Balogun's eligibility for the U.S. team stems from birthright citizenship, a rule that has been a point of contention for Trump. His mother was reportedly stopped from boarding a flight out of the United States while heavily pregnant, and Balogun was subsequently born in Brooklyn, New York.
Belgium's coach, Rudi Garcia, criticized the situation, likening it to April Fool's Day. European soccer's governing body, UEFA, also issued a strong statement expressing disbelief, stating, "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined."
The incident occurred in the second half of the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun was shown a red card after a video replay showed his leg making contact with opposing defender Tarik Muharemovic's calf during a challenge for possession.
The United States is aiming to advance in the World Cup for the first time since 2002. If Balogun is ruled out, Ricardo Pepi is expected to start in his place.
Trump is anticipated to attend the World Cup final on July 19, where he and Infantino are expected to present the trophy to the winning team.