President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after publicly celebrating FIFA's decision to overturn the one-match suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the Americans' World Cup knockout match against Belgium, reported by CNN.
FIFA subsequently lifted the suspension under Article 27 of its disciplinary code but provided limited explanation.
The move has fueled accusations of political interference and raised concerns about the integrity of the tournament. Belgium's football federation reportedly argued that the decision undermined fair play and the sport's ethics.
The report said critics fear the episode could damage FIFA's credibility and encourage political leaders to seek influence over future disciplinary decisions during major international competitions.
Related Tweet:
We are witnessing one of the most political World Cups in recent memory.
— Amir Soltanzadeh (@AmirSoltanzade2) July 5, 2026
A red card shown to a U.S. player was overturned and Trump immediately expressed his gratitude. pic.twitter.com/zELKrEZILk
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