Trump intervenes with FIFA to lift red card on US striker Balogun ahead of World Cup quarterfinal

United States President Donald Trump has acknowledged intervening with FIFA to have a red card against US men's national team striker Folarin Balogun rescinded, allowing the player to feature in the World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium.

The red card was shown to Balogun during the round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The ban would have ruled him out of the quarterfinal.

According to reports from The New York Times, Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino three times to request a review of the decision. The US administration also involved lawyers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin, a donor to US Soccer.

On Sunday, FIFA announced the suspension had been lifted under Chapter 4, Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows a judicial body to suspend a disciplinary measure fully or partially. Trump posted on X: 'Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!'

Speaking later to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said: 'All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn't think it was a foul... I didn't tell him what to do. I can't tell him what to do.' He described the incident as 'two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other'.

This is not the first time a red card has been overturned at a World Cup. In 1962, Brazil's Garrincha was sent off but later let off with a warning after a linesman failed to attend a hearing. Heads of state have also intervened in the past, including Chilean and Brazilian presidents negotiating to allow Garrincha to continue playing.

However, under modern FIFA regulations, overturning one-match bans is rare. The Royal Belgian Football Federation has expressed astonishment and is considering an appeal. Belgium's coach, Rudi Garcia, said: 'I just found out that July 5 is FIFA's April Fools' Day.'

European football's governing body, UEFA, questioned FIFA's integrity, stating: 'Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation, but this case raises concerns.'

Balogun is the US team's top scorer with three goals. The quarterfinal against Belgium is scheduled for Tuesday.