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 inquired into the decision, leading to an appeal. With hours to go before the match, it was deemed Balogun would be eligible to play.

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.

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.

Early reports indicate USMNT cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s suspension

FIFA officials tell The Athletic that Balogun’s red card and suspension cannot be appealed. They cited the organization’s rule book, which states a red card results in an automatic suspension for the next game. That particular clause does not mention a possibility of an appeal.

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.

USMNT shatters viewership records with win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

U.S. soccer fans turned out in droves to watch the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The contest was watched by over 24 million viewers, shattering previous viewership records.

Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena agrees with Folarin Balogun’s red card

While many in the United States disagreed with Balogun’s red card and suspension, one prominent soccer voice believed officials got it right. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said he agreed with the call. Arena said he didn’t think there was intent on Balogun’s part, but that it was a dangerous play and should have been penalized.

Friday, July 3

Folarin Balogun speaks for first time since red-card incident

In his first public comments since his red card, Folarin Balogun said he believed a yellow card “would have been fair.” Balogun, however, mostly took the high road, saying he had to “accept” being handed a red card and missing the team’s next game.

USMNT appears at Mariners game

Pochettino delivered a solid first pitch as he and the rest of the USMNT appeared at a Seattle Mariners game ahead of Monday’s contest vs. Belgium. The entire team stood behind Pochettino as he delivered the pitch.

The USMNT also signed Cal Raleigh’s catcher’s gear, which he wore during Saturday’s game.

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.”

USMNT reacts with disbelief to news that Folarin Balogun’s suspension was reversed

Even the USMNT were surprised to see Balogun’s suspension lifted. Defender Chris Richards said he thought the news “was AI at first.” He later explained, “We weren’t sure if it was true or not.”

Odds shift further in USMNT’s favor following news Folarin Balogun can play

Following the USMNT’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. opened as slight favorites against Belgium. Odds shifted even more in favor of the USMNT following the news that Balogun would be available.

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.

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino defends FIFA’s decision

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino was unsurprisingly one of the few who spoke out in support of FIFA’s decision to rescind Bolagun’s one-game ban. Pochettino said he felt his team was “punished enough” by playing 30 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina without Balogun.

“We’re not the bad guys,” he said.

Belgium says it’s ‘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 ask FIFA to explain why it overturned Balogun’s suspension. FIFA did not answer, but said the inquiry prompted an appeal. The organization granted that appeal, telling the Belgium federation and U.S. Soccer to send in submissions by 5 a.m. PT, on the day the Round of 16 match is 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 takes responsibility for getting Folarin Balogun’s ban lifted

Trump met with reporters Monday, where he confirmed he spoke with Infantino about Balogun’s suspension. Just after saying he did not tell FIFA what to do, Trump added, “I’m the one who got them to [overturn] it.”

He called FIFA’s move “the right decision.”

Gianni Infantino says decision made by independent committee

In a statement Monday, Infantino confirmed he spoke to Trump, but stressed FIFA’s decision was made by an independent committee.

“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.”

Infantino said he would respect that decision.

Belgium football federation issues correction to Folarin Balogun timeline

In an effort to clarify the situation, the Belgium football federation issued a statement claiming it never formally asked for an appeal. The federation said it merely asked FIFA to explain why Balogun was reinstated.

FIFA did not provide its reasoning, per the federation, but said the inquiry resulted in an appeal being opened. While the Belgium federation claimed it did not ask for an appeal, it said it “has no alternative but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”

It did not seem confident in that appeal working, however, as its statement noted: “While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.”

FIFA denies appeal, allowing Folarin Balogun to play Monday

FIFA quickly announced the appeal was denied, opening the door for Balogun to play against Belgium on Monday.

“The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA [Royal Belgian Football Association] is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” FIFA said in a statement.

Belgium objects to FIFA decision allowing Folarin Balogun to play

The Belgium football federation took issue with FIFA’s ruling Monday, explaining it still doesn’t know why Balogun was deemed eligible in the first place. It threatened further action should Balogun be made available Monday, per The Athletic.

“To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure for a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report. Which is a breach of FIFA regulations.

The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.”

USMNT to take on Belgium

With the appeal still in limbo, the USMNT and Belgium are set to play at 8 p.m. ET in Seattle. As of Monday’s decision, Balogun is eligible and expected to be available for that contest.