Folarin Balogun red card timeline: How FIFA, President Donald Trump overturned one-game ban for USMNT star

FIFA's decision to overturn a one-game ban for USMNT star Folarin Balogun has caused quite the firestorm. Balogun, who was initially given a red card during the team's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was expected to miss the team's game against Belgium on Monday due to a mandatory one-game suspension. But a day before that Round of 16 match, FIFA decided to overturn that suspension, making Balogun available for the contest. That led to unrest from the Belgium football federation, which appealed the decision. With hours to go before the match, that appeal is still pending. Given the chaotic nature of Balogun's availability, here’s a full timeline of his situation: Wednesday, July 1 Folarin Balogun given red card in game vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina In the 68th minute vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was given a red card after stepping on an opponent’s leg while fighting for position. This play is being reviewed for a potential red card against the US pic.twitter.com/EdyPpgpycA — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 The play was reviewed, which resulted in Balogun receiving the red card. As a result, Balogun was required to miss the rest of the contest and the USMNT’s next match if the team advanced. USMNT defeats Bosnia and Herzegovina without Folarin Balogun Despite playing the rest of the game down a man, the USMNT managed to pick up a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the contest, USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun’s contact was incidental and should not have resulted in a red card. President Donald Trump contacted about Folarin Balogun’s red card That evening, Andrew Giuliani, who is part of the presidential task force at the 2026 World Cup, reportedly contacted U.S. President Donald Trump about Balogun’s red card, per Politico. Giuliani, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Soccer officials then reportedly started coming up with a plan to challenge Balogun’s red card and one-game suspension. Thursday, July 2 President Donald Trump calls FIFA president Gianni Infantino over Folarin Balogun ban Trump reportedly called Infantino on Thursday to discuss the red card and Balogun’s suspension, per Politico. At the same time, U.S. Soccer’s legal team reportedly prepared and submitted an appeal to FIFA. Sunday, July 5 FIFA rescinds Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban, making him available to play vs. Belgium Days after that phone call — and reported appeal — FIFA decided to rescind Balogun’s one-game ban in favor of a year-long probationary period. The organization cited Article 27 of its code of discipline, which states that FIFA is allowed to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” President Trump thanks FIFA for overturning Folarin Balogun’s ban In a social-media post, Trump thanked FIFA for “doing what was right.” That post was shared by the official White House X account. USA-USA-USA 🦅 https://t.co/yKnJxew9tU pic.twitter.com/75KmExgrUJ — The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 5, 2026 Belgium says its ‘astonished’ by decision and investigating all options In a lengthy statement, the Belgium football federation said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and was investigating its options. The federation cited other articles in FIFA’s code of conduct, which state a red card is followed by a one-game suspension. Monday, July 6 Belgium granted appeal by FIFA After investigating its options, the Belgium football federation decided to file an appeal with FIFA. The organization granted that appeal , telling the Belgium federation and U.S. Soccer to send in submissions by 5 a.m. PT, hours before the Round of 16 match was set to take place. Once those submissions are in, a member of the FIFA appeals committee will hear the case. The member of the FIFA appeals committee selected to hear the case will not be someone associated with FIFA, UEFA or CONCACAF. FIFA did not guarantee a ruling would be made prior to Monday’s game, per The Athletic. UEFA condemns FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s ban In a statement, UEFA ripped into FIFA for its decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension. The organization said it could not believe "such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision." A portion of UEFA's statement read: "Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension. "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined." President Donald Trump confirms he spoke to Gianni Infantino about the suspension TRUMP claims credit: "I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who's highly respected [Gianni Infantino]...I'm the one who got them to do it. It was not Biden, Biden was asleep!" — Sophia Cai (@SophiaCai99) July 6, 2026 This story will be updated.