Trump thanks FIFA after Balogun ban lifted for Belgium match

Trump thanks FIFA after Balogun ban lifted for Belgium match

US President Donald Trump thanked FIFA after it suspended the one-match ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun.

The forward had been sent off for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the USA’s 2-0 win in the Round of 32.

Initially ruling him out of the next fixture, however, FIFA’s judicial body, which has discretion to partially or fully suspend disciplinary sanctions, later reversed the decision.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Balogun has been instrumental in the United States’ progress at the tournament, earning Player of the Match honours twice.

He is now just one goal away from equalling the long-standing USA men’s record for most goals in a single World Cup, set by Bert Patenaude during the inaugural 1930 tournament.