FIFA overturns Folarin Balogun's red card ban after reported Trump call, clearing him for USMNT World Cup match
By
Jeremy Goldstein
Summary
Folarin Balogun, the USMNT's leading goal scorer at the 2026 World Cup, had his red card suspension unexpectedly overturned by FIFA, making him eligible to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium. The decision, which reportedly involved a phone call from Donald Trump to FIFA, has virtually no historical precedent aside from a pre-tournament adjustment for Cristiano Ronaldo. Balogun's availability is a major boost for the USMNT in their knockout stage matchup.
Source
bskyFIFA overturns Folarin Balogun's red card ban after reported Trump call, clearing him for USMNT World Cup matchirishstar.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledOutside of a pre-tournament adjustment for Cristiano Ronaldo, there was virtually no historical precedent for US national team striker Folarin Balogun to have his red card suspension overturned ahead of his team's 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Unexpectedly, reports emerged on Sunday afternoon that Balogun, the USMNT's leading goal scorer at the 2026 tournament, would be eligible to participate after his suspension was overturned.
Folarin Balogun will be available to lead the line for the USMNT against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after FIFA overturned his red card ban.
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