World Cup Tickets: Trump's intervention sparks World Cup storm as FIFA clears Balogun to face Belgium

 World Cup Tickets: Donald Trump lobbied FIFA to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card received in the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, preceding Sunday’s stunning announcement that he would be available for the co-hosts’ last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.

Trump Intervenes as FIFA Reviews Balogun’s Suspension

Sources have told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to FIFA, starting on Wednesday, to ensure that the change was made. The decision gives the US a huge boost on the field as they attempt to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Balogun has been a constant threat for the US so far this tournament, and has scored three goals in three starts.

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FIFA has been approached for comment. The US president thanked football’s world governing body for suspending the red card. Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice! Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. FIFA’s disciplinary committee said it decided in line with Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code.

FIFA Explains the Legal Basis Behind the Decision

FIFA previously used Article 27 to clear Cristiano Ronaldo to start the opening games of Portugal’s World Cup after his red card against the Republic of Ireland. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said in a statement that it was “astonished” at the decision. The RBFA later pointed out that the suspension of the ban ran in contradiction to FIFA statutes governing the punishment for red cards, which carry a one-game ban automatically.

This allows it to suspend red cards so long as the discipline is not related to match-fixing. Balogun will be on a probationary period of one year, meaning the red card technically remains on his record. If, during that year, Balogun commits what the code refers to as another infringement of a similar nature and gravity, the striker will serve his one-game ban. Click to read more about World Cup Tickets.

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The RBFA said it was investigating all potential options. Manager Rudi Garcia likened the FIFA decision to an April Fools’ Day joke. I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April, April Fools’ Day at FIFA, Garcia said in his native French at a news conference on Sunday. I think we should refer to the statement of my federation, the Belgian federation.

Belgium Reacts with Anger Over Last-Minute Reversal

I think a lot of things are in it. The federation does not defend itself; it does not defend the national team; it defends football in general. It defends its integrity. It defends its ethics.” A US Soccer spokesperson said on Sunday that the federation was engaged in the process that ended up clearing Balogun for the last-16 game.

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Everyone who really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision, Pochettino said. We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes because of a completely unfair decision. 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.

US players said they received news of Balogun’s availability on the team bus on the way to training. Some guys are playing Clash Royale, some guys were just in the back listening to music, and then think somewhere in between that, we heard all the reports, the defender Chris Richards said.

US Team Welcomes Balogun’s Return Before Crucial Knockout Match

My family probably sent me eight tweets. I wasn’t sure; nobody told us ahead of time that this was happening. We weren’t quite sure if it was true or not. I think everyone knows that with AI and with this and that, there can be a few question marks, but ultimately we found out through social media.

It was just cool to finally get the confirmation that it was true. Richards said that about 10 minutes passed between the moment when the US players first started getting reports of Balogun’s availability and getting official confirmation from a US Soccer official by the time they got off the bus for Sunday’s training session, the final one before the all-important Belgium matchup.

This allows it to suspend red cards so long as the discipline is not related to match-fixing. Balogun will be on a probationary period of one year, meaning the red card technically remains on his record. If, during that year, Balogun commits what the code refers to as another infringement of a similar nature and gravity, the striker will serve his one-game ban.

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Why was Folarin Balogun originally suspended?

Balogun received a red card during the United States' World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

Why is Folarin Balogun now eligible to play against Belgium?

FIFA suspended the one-game ban after reviewing the case under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing Balogun to return for the last-16 match.

What role did Donald Trump play in the decision?

According to reports, President Donald Trump contacted FIFA multiple times to advocate for lifting Balogun's suspension, although FIFA has not officially confirmed any influence on its ruling.

What is Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code?           

Article 27 allows FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend certain disciplinary sanctions under specific circumstances, provided the offense is not related to match-fixing.

Will the red card remain on Balogun’s record?

Yes. The red card remains on his disciplinary record, and he will be on probation for one year. A similar offense during that period could result in the suspended ban being enforced.

How did Belgium respond to FIFA’s decision?

The Royal Belgian Football Association strongly criticized the ruling, calling it inconsistent with FIFA’s own regulations and stating it was considering all available options.

How did the US players learn about Balogun’s availability?

Players first heard reports through social media while traveling to training before receiving official confirmation from US Soccer shortly afterward.

Has FIFA used Article 27 in similar cases before?

Yes. FIFA previously used Article 27 to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to participate in Portugal’s opening World Cup matches after a previous red card.

Why is Balogun’s return significant for the United States?

Balogun has been one of the US team's standout performers at the tournament, scoring three goals in three starts, making his availability a major boost for their hopes of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.

How can fans sell FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets safely?

Fans can sell FIFA World Cup tickets through trusted platforms like Xchangetickets. These marketplaces connect buyers and sellers for group, knockout, and final matches.