THE Belgian Football Association has said it is “astonished” and “investigating all potential options” after it emerged Donald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino to ask for US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban to be reviewed.
Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was dismissed during the second half of the World Cup co-hosts’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but on Sunday the Fifa Disciplinary Committee announced it would suspend the player’s one-match ban by a probationary period of one year.
Fifa’s decision to allow Balogun to play in the United States’ World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium has been likened to “April Fool’s Day” by head coach Rudi Garcia.
Writing on his Truth Social account, US president Trump said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
However, shortly after Fifa’s decision, it has been reported that Trump made three calls to the sporting federation to ensure Balogun could play against Belgium.
Trump and Infantino have built up a personal relationship over the past year, with the Fifa head showering the US president with gifts, including the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize and with Trump presenting the winning trophy at this year's tournament.
Further reports on Sunday evening claimed that the White House World Cup taskforce had launched a legal challenge against Balogun’s suspension focused on the use of slow-motion replays in making VAR decisions.
The White House has not responded to these claims.
A Fifa Disciplinary Committee update, issued alongside an announcement of the decision, read: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
The Belgian Football Association disagreed with the application of Article 27, stating: “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match.”
Garcia has been left with just over 24 hours to prepare his teams to face the US now with a key striker they thought would be suspended for the knockout game.
Speaking at a press conference following the decision, Garcia made no attempt to disguise his fury as he said: “I didn’t know that (at) the FIFA World Cup the fifth of July is now the first of April, and that is April Fool’s.
“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we’re defending football, whether it’s ethics or integrity.
“I’m a head coach, I will focus my team on tomorrow’s game, regardless of the 11 starting players from the US. I will focus on my team, the pitch tomorrow and for us to get the victory so we can reach the quarter-finals.”
Asked about reports the US President had directly intervened, and whether or not Belgium might take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Garcia said: “Don’t waste your time talking about that.”
According to FIFA’s disciplinary code, should Balogun commit “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement”.
The RBFA claimed the decision was in violation of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, also citing a separate section of the governing body’s disciplinary code.
It added: “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”
Pochettino said he “wasn’t involved” in the decision, and “found out today before training”, claiming he “didn’t have time” to see President Trump’s remarks on social media but that his federation was “working really hard and trying to defend our situation”.
He added: “My reaction is like everyone. I really love the sport, and trust the ethic and integrity. I think we all celebrate that decision.”
Asked about President Trump’s rumoured involvement, the former Tottenham boss insisted: “You cannot mix that. It is a decision from FIFA.”
