FIFA clears Folarin Balogun for US World Cup match after red card

FIFA on Sunday lifted the immediate effect of a one-game suspension for U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play in Monday’s World Cup knockout match against Belgium. President Donald Trump praised the decision on Truth Social, thanking the soccer governing body for reversing what he called “a great injustice.”

Balogun had been sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. Under standard disciplinary procedure, a red card generally triggers an automatic one-match ban, and CNBC reported that such sanctions normally take effect without appeal.

FIFA said in a Sunday statement that the sanction would not apply immediately. “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 governing body said.

The decision means the U.S. team can select Balogun for its match against Belgium, a knockout fixture in the 2026 World Cup. FIFA did not, in the material cited by CNBC, provide a detailed public explanation of the reasoning beyond its reference to the disciplinary code provision.

How the suspension decision works

A red card removes a player from the match in which it is issued and usually carries an additional one-game suspension. FIFA’s Sunday statement did not erase the disciplinary matter in full; it suspended implementation of the automatic ban for a one-year probationary period under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

That structure allows the player to remain eligible immediately while leaving the sanction tied to a defined probation period. In practical terms for the United States, the ruling restores one of its attacking options for a high-stakes match one day after the decision.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” His post followed FIFA’s announcement and did not include additional details about any communication with the governing body.

Balogun’s citizenship also draws political attention

Balogun is a U.S. citizen by birth and grew up in the United Kingdom, according to CNBC. His status has added a political dimension to the story because Trump has sought to restrict birthright citizenship.

Last week, Trump lost a case at the Supreme Court related to birthright citizenship, CNBC reported. A majority of justices ruled that people born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Trump had issued an executive order last year that sought to sharply limit that principle.

The World Cup ruling itself concerned football discipline rather than citizenship. FIFA’s public statement addressed only the suspension of Balogun’s automatic match ban and his availability for the United States’ next match.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.