US President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for suspending the one-match ban imposed on American striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate in the Round of 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States. Balogun was set to miss Monday's match after receiving a controversial direct red card following a VAR review in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, after stepping on defender Tariq Maharimovic's foot, in the match which the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a direct red card automatically results in a one-match ban, a punishment that cannot be appealed by the club or national team. However, FIFA announced Sunday that the ban would be suspended for one year, a surprising move for which no specific explanation was given.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Sunday: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what is right, and correcting a great injustice!"

FIFA's decision was met with sharp criticism from the Belgian Football Association, which said it was "stunned" by FIFA's decision to suspend the red card. In a statement, it wrote: "Stunned by FIFA's decision to consider US player Folarin Balogun, whose ban was lifted, eligible to play in the US-Belgium match on Monday." The Belgian association added that it is "examining all possible options."

Balogun is a key figure in the US campaign in the tournament, and his absence against Belgium would have been a blow to the team in the match scheduled in Seattle. The striker has scored three goals for the US in this World Cup, including a brace in the team's opening match against Paraguay.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun "should never" have received a red card in that incident, stressing that his player was "fighting for the ball" and that the contact was not intentional. Pochettino added at the time that it "should be fair" to appeal the decision. But after being informed that a FIFA spokesperson confirmed the ban was not subject to appeal, the US coach seemed to accept that he would have to consider "different options" to lead his team's attack against Belgium.

Meanwhile, Balogun told journalists on Friday that the ban was "something I have to accept," emphasizing that he was focusing on supporting his teammates from the stands. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee made the decision to suspend the ban. The international body's decision came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the red card to be overturned.

FIFA's statement said: "In accordance with Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, the execution of the one-match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year." It added: "If Folarin Balogun commits another similar offense in nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspension will be revoked and implemented, without prejudice to any additional penalty that may be imposed for the new offense." Earlier, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Ireland for an elbow strike during a qualifying match for this World Cup. The subsequent ban of three matches meant the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would miss the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup. However, FIFA reduced his penalty by suspending two of those matches.