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FIFA Lifts Suspension of U.S. Striker After Trump Intervenes

HeadlineJul 06, 2026

Fresh controversy has embroiled the FIFA World Cup after President Trump called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lift a red card suspension on the U.S. Men’s National Team top goal scorer Folarin Balogun. Trump reportedly had a private call with Infantino last week to ask for a review of Balogun’s suspension, which was lifted on Sunday ahead of the U.S. team’s match against Belgium today. The reversal is highly unusual and is the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a tournament red-carded player to appear in a game without serving the suspension. Trump took to Truth Social thanking FIFA “for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

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