Folarin Balogun, the United States national team striker, expressed his great surprise after the exceptional decision that allowed him to return to participate in the 2026 World Cup, despite being sent off in the round of 16, stressing that he initially thought it was just a 'joke'.

The Balogun case sparked major controversy in the 2026 World Cup. Although the American striker was suspended after being sent off in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to lift the suspension in an unprecedented incident.

The French Monaco striker explained, during a talk session with basketball legend LeBron James at the Fanatics Fest event held in New York, that he could not believe the news of the lifting of his suspension before the match against Belgium.

Balogun said, in statements reported by the Spanish newspaper 'Marca': 'Two days before the match against Belgium, they told me that I would be able to play again. For me, it was unreal, and at first I thought they were joking with me.'

He added: 'When I got the red card, I was in great shock, and I think most of those who saw the incident were also shocked, but I had no choice but to accept the decision.'

The American striker also revealed a conversation he had with national team coach Mauricio Pochettino after that match, saying: 'After the match, he told me: Be ready... just be ready, but I thought he was saying that just to boost my morale and help the team.'

He continued: 'About two days later, I was surprised by the news that I was allowed to return to play.'

The decision to lift Balogun's suspension sparked widespread controversy, as it came after a phone call made by U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during which he called for a review of the sending-off incident, considering that the intervention 'did not even deserve to be called a foul,' which ended with the cancellation of the suspension penalty and allowing the American striker to participate again.