New scandal at 2026 World Cup: US national team player allowed to play despite red card

U.S. President Donald Trump personally appealed to FIFA with a request to review the red card received by U.S. national team striker Folarin Balogun in the round of 16 match of the World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This was reported by journalist Ben Jacobs on social media.

FIFA decided to postpone Balogun's suspension. Thanks to this decision, the player will be able to take part in the round of 8 match against Belgium, which will take place in Seattle on the night of July 7.

Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the match for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic. According to the regulations, a red card entails an automatic one-game suspension, but FIFA's disciplinary committee applied Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code and suspended the punishment on a one-year probationary period. The red card itself was not canceled: in case of a repeated similar violation, the forward will still have to serve the suspension.

In the current tournament, Balogun scored three goals — a brace in the group stage match against Paraguay and another goal against the Bosnians. He is the top scorer for the U.S. national team at the World Cup.