'The Trump Card': Reactions and viral memes to FIFA’s controversial US red card reversal If you get a red card at the World Cup, you miss the next game... Unless Donald Trump steps in. The world has reacted to the controversial move by FIFA to lift the ban given to the US team's star striker, following a call by Trump to Gianni Infantino. Euronews · Jul 6
Trump intervention sparks World Cup storm as Fifa clears Balogun to face Belgium WASHINGTON/SEATTLE - The United States’ World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when Fifa made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic red-card ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday's last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged Fifa President Gianni Infantino to review… Bangkok Post · Jul 6
Fury as Folarin Balogun suspension overturned after Donald Trump asked Fifa THE Belgian Football Association has said it is “astonished” and “investigating all potential options” after it emerged Donald Trump called… The National (Scotland) · Jul 6
Balogun's World Cup Red Card Is Suspended -- Justly I've seen some carping about the process. But getting to the right result is the ultimate goal. Reason · Jul 6
FIFA takes U-turn on red card suspension for Folarin Balogun after Donald Trump calls Gianni Infantino to review FIFA has controversially lifted Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension for a red card, allowing the US forward to play against Belgium. The decision, reportedly influenced by a call from US President Donald Trump, has drawn sharp criticism from Belgium's football authorities. This unprecedented move, placing Balogun on a one-year probation, marks… The Economic Times · Jul 6
Why Folarin Balogun Playing for USMNT vs. Belgium Is Such a Big Deal U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun is now available to play in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday night. The shocking turn Sports Illustrated · Jul 6
Infantino says he told Trump FIFA's disciplinary body was independent during call over Balogun Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player's team. Euronews · Jul 6
Is USA vs Belgium on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch World Cup last-16 clash Everything you need to know ahead of the co-hosts’ last-16 clash The Independent UK · Jul 6
Article 27 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code: The FIFA twist that allows US' Folarin Balogun to play despite seeing red card US striker Folarin Balogun will play against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 after FIFA suspended his one-match ban. Invoking Article 27, FIFA has temporarily put the red card sanction on hold for one year. While the ban remains valid, Balogun can compete now, but a future similar… The Economic Times · Jul 6
FIFA World Cup 2026 results: Who won yesterday? France, Norway and England book quarter-final berths France, Norway, and England have advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after thrilling Round of 16 encounters. Kylian Mbappe's penalty secured France's win, while Erling Haaland's late brace stunned Brazil. England, despite a red card, triumphed over hosts Mexico in a dramatic five-goal contest. Today's fixtures include Portugal… The Economic Times · Jul 6
World Cup bosses wipe out ban for US striker Balogun on eve of Belgium tie World Cup organisers Fifa on Sunday suspended the one-match for Folarin Balogun for his red card during the United States' 2-0 victory in the last 32 over Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1 July. Radio France Internationale · Jul 6
USMNT vs. Belgium—World Cup: Preview, Predictions and Lineups The Stars and Stripes haven’t reached the World Cup quarterfinal since 2002. Sports Illustrated · Jul 6
Trump intervention sparks World Cup storm as FIFA clears Balogun to face Belgium In an unprecedented move, FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's red-card ban for the US World Cup match against Belgium, following a personal appeal from President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This decision has ignited controversy, with Belgium expressing astonishment and questioning FIFA's adherence to its own rules. The… The Economic Times · Jul 6
The Guardian - UK · Jul 6 Explained: Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card reversal, Trump’s phone calls and Fifa’s rationale The surprise move deeming the US striker eligible to play came after the American president reached out to the governing body to appeal for the change
The Independent UK · Jul 6 Norway boss tears into Fifa over ‘big mistake’ to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card at World Cup Folarin Balogun can now play against Belgium after Fifa made the extraordinary decision to change the punishment for his red card to a suspended ban
FourFourTwo · Jul 5 Rudi Garcia hits out at 'April Fools' Folarin Balogun ruling Belgium boss Rudi Garcia responded to Folarin Balogun's overturned ban
International Business Times UK · Jul 5 Trump Call to FIFA Reverses Folarin Balogun Red Card Suspension to Rescue American World Cup Dream FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's suspension after a call from President Trump, allowing him to play in the USA's World Cup match against Belgium, sparking controversy.
Evening Standard · Jul 5 Belgium FA 'investigating all options' after FIFA controversially clear Florian Balogun to play United States President Trump praised FIFA for “reversing a great injustice” after striker see red card suspended
The Guardian - US · Jul 5 Astonished Belgium vow to ‘defend football’ after Fifa’s shock Balogun reversal Belgium coach Rudi Garcia likened Fifa’s decision to an April Fools’ Day joke as the national federation said it would ‘investigate all potential options’
Sports Illustrated · Jul 5 ‘Scandalous’—How Soccer World Reacted to Folarin Balogun’s Stunning World Cup Reprieve There were three broad reactions to Balogun’s surprise availability for the U.S. against Belgium.
France 24 · Jul 5 FIFA lifts Balogun's World Cup suspension after Trump calls Infantino US President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the World Cup suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday. FIFA later lifted Balogun's one-match ban, clearing him to face Belgium in the last 16 after his red…
Sports Illustrated · Jul 5 ‘Astonished’—Belgium Gives Heated Response to Balogun’s Red Card Appeal Belgium is set to clash with the USMNT in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday night.
FourFourTwo · Jul 5 FIFA at centre of new political storm ahead of USA Belgium as Donald Trump intervenes USA forward Folarin Balogun was set to miss their round-of-16 clash
The Independent UK · Jul 5 Fifa’s controversial Folarin Balogun decision ‘absolutely stinks’, says Gary Neville Balogun will now play against Belgium after having his red card ban suspended