AP report: FIFA lifts U.S. player Balogun's red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino

By — Ronald Blum, Associated Press Ronald Blum, Associated Press By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ap-report-fifa-lifts-u-s-player-baloguns-red-card-suspension-at-world-cup-after-trump-calls-infantino Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter AP report: FIFA lifts U.S. player Balogun's red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino World Jul 5, 2026 5:46 PM EDT SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. WATCH: Hard-fought win raises hopes for U.S. in World Cup Balogun, the American leader with three goals, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday. A red card triggers an automatic one-game suspension. FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted, triggering praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium's team. Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game asking FIFA review the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump said in a statement on social media. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished" and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA's action. "I didn't know that in the offices of FIFA the 5th of July was the 1st of April in Europe," Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools' Day comparison. "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team, She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it's the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision." Garcia wouldn't respond when asked about a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or whether he thought Trump impacted FIFA's action. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," the Belgian federation said in a statement. READ MORE: Lionel Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead American players learned of Balogun's availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday from their hotel to training at the University of Washington's Husky Soccer Stadium. Balogun's red card had been one of the World Cup's most controversial and consequential decisions. "If you look at the foul, it was ju