Great injustice reversed: Trump on FIFA's shocking reversal of US striker's ban

FIFA World Cup 2026: US President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA's decision to suspend the implementation of Folarin Balogun's match ban, clearing the USA striker to face Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16.

In Short

• FIFA's disciplinary update means Balogun can play in Monday's knockout match
• The 25-year-old forward was shown a red card in Round of 32
• Balogun has already scored three goals in the tournament for USA so far

US President Donald Trump hailed FIFA's decision after the governing body cleared USA striker Folarin Balogun to face Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. FIFA invoked the rarely used Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the implementation of Balogun's automatic one-match ban following his dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The decision drew a swift reaction from President Trump, who welcomed FIFA's ruling to make Balogun available for USA's crucial last 16 fixture against Belgium. Taking to his Truth Social platform shortly after the announcement, Trump praised the governing body for overturning what he described as an unfair decision.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he posted on Truth Social.

US forward Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the country's 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32 clash after a tackle on defender Tarik Muharemovic, which was deemed serious foul play. The incident saw Muharemovic left in visible pain after Balogun came down on his foot, causing it to twist awkwardly. The Bosnia & Herzegovina defender immediately went to the ground clutching his leg and required treatment.

Despite the red card, the striker remains eligible for selection in a crucial knockout tie as FIFA Disciplinary Committee confirmed on Sunday that the 25-year-old forward, who has scored three goals at the tournament, will not serve an immediate suspension. Instead, his sanction has been placed on probation under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”

The disciplinary ruling effectively converts the immediate suspension into a conditional punishment, meaning it will only be enforced if further offences occur during the probation period.

BELGIAN FA ASTONISHED AT FIFA'S DECISION

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has strongly criticised FIFA’s decision to make United States striker Folarin Balogun eligible for Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash, saying it was “astonished” by the ruling and its interpretation of tournament regulations.

The federation pointed to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which state: “If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”

The RBFA argued that this rule has been consistently applied throughout the tournament and reiterated in official FIFA communications, including pre-tournament circulars and match coordination meetings, adding that the decision to suspend Balogun’s ban appears to contradict established procedures. The Belgian federation said it is now reviewing all available options to protect sporting integrity ahead of the knockout fixture.

CRISTIANO RONALDO CASE SETS PRECEDENT

The use of Article 27 has drawn attention due to its relatively rare application in high-profile international football. Similar reasoning was applied in a separate case prior to the tournament involving Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, whose suspension for violent conduct in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland was partially suspended by FIFA.

In that case, Ronaldo initially received a three-match ban, which was reduced to one match, with the remaining two matches suspended under a one-year probation period. As a result, he served only the mandatory game and remained available for the opening matches of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

A FIFA statement at the time confirmed that the suspended portion of the ban would only be activated if further disciplinary breaches occurred during the probation period, reinforcing the conditional nature of Article 27 rulings.

WHAT DOES ARTICLE 27 SAYS?

The FIFA Disciplinary Code includes provisions that allow certain sanctions to be suspended under specific conditions instead of being applied immediately. These rules outline how probationary periods are used to monitor a player’s conduct before a suspended penalty can be enforced.

• The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.
• By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.
• If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
• Disciplinary measures relating to match manipulation cannot be suspended.

HIGH-STAKES USA CONTEXT

For the United States, the timing of the ruling is significant as they prepare to face Belgium in a rematch of their dramatic 2014 Round of 16 encounter, where the Belgians won 2-1 in extra time despite a record 16-save performance from goalkeeper Tim Howard.

As the disciplinary decision adds another layer of scrutiny to an already high-pressure knockout fixture, Balogun’s availability provides a major boost for the co-hosts, who will rely on their in-form striker as they attempt to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in over two decades.

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