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 U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni ‌Infantino to review the case.

The move thrust FIFA’s disciplinary process into the global spotlight, prompted an angry response from Belgium and ensured that one of this tournament’s biggest talking points would centre not on tactics or team selection, but on the relationship between football’s governing body and political power.

What is Article 27 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code that allows red-carded Balogun to play?

Within minutes, the decision had ignited one of the tournament’s biggest media storms, dominating sports bulletins and talk shows as pundits, commentators and former players argued over whether FIFA had upheld justice or undermined ​its own rules.

As questions mounted over the circumstances surrounding the decision, FIFA did not respond to multiple Reuters requests for comment about the decision and Trump’s call with Infantino.

Balogun scored his ​third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his ⁠boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.

The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino saying it was never a red card offence.

Trump called Infantino to ask world soccer’s governing body ​to review the sending-off, according to a source briefed on the call.

FIFA is allowing Balogun to play without rescinding the red card.

“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the ​match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement.

“If Folarin Balogun commits 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 judicial body has the discretion to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction.

‘A GREAT INJUSTICE’

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a ​great injustice,” Trump wrote on Truth Social while the White House celebrated Balogun’s reinstatement in the squad with a post on X saying: “USA-USA-USA.”

U.S. Soccer accepted the decision while Balogun’s teammates said they only found out ​via social media on their way to training ahead of Monday’s game in Seattle.

“We found out about it just coming over here,” American forward Christian Pulisic told reporters. “At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this ‌is great news’.”

Pochettino ⁠welcomed the news at a U.S. press conference in Seattle on Sunday evening.

“I think 99.9% of people in football have said this is an unfair punishment and there’s evidence from the past that makes it possible to suspend a punishment and to fulfil it later on, so I don’t understand how people can be surprised,” he told reporters.

“This has happened in the past. It’s not something extraordinary that has only happened for us, it has happened in the past. And we’ve seen many players in this World Cup that were not punished and I’m happy for this because it would have been unfair.”

BELGIUM ‘ASTONISHED’ BY DECISION

The Royal Belgian ​Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision ​to declare Balogun eligible to play in the ⁠match, pointing to the rule book while it investigated all potential options.

“FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction,” the RBFA said.

“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA ​Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all ​previous red cards issued during ⁠this FIFA World Cup.”

It said the decision was in direct contradiction with the provisions of the tournament’s Regulations.

“As set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match,’” the RBFA added.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was able to play his side’s opening World Cup matches after FIFA suspended the final two games of ⁠a three-match ban ​last year when he was sent off in their penultimate qualifying match against Ireland.

Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was handed a five-match ​ban after receiving a red card for a tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during a group match at the tournament.

Monday’s match will now be played against the backdrop of a decision that has become one of the defining controversies of ​the tournament, with the debate over FIFA’s powers unlikely to end at the final whistle.

-Reuters

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

FIFA has taken the extraordinary step of suspending the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, making him eligible for the Americans’ FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter against Belgium.

According to Reuters, the decision followed a telephone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during which the American leader reportedly requested a review of the player’s dismissal.

Balogun, who scored his third goal of the tournament during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was sent off in the second half after a VAR review adjudged him to have planted his boot on the ankle of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

The dismissal sparked immediate controversy, with U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisting that the incident did not warrant a red card.

While FIFA has not overturned the red card itself, the world football governing body announced that the resulting suspension would not take immediate effect.

“In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

The statement added that should Balogun commit a similar offence during the probationary period, the suspension would be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary measures.

Reuters reported that FIFA’s judicial body possesses discretionary powers to suspend the implementation of disciplinary sanctions either fully or partially.

Reacting to the decision, President Trump described Balogun’s reinstatement as the correction of “a great injustice.”

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, according to Reuters.

The White House also celebrated the ruling with a social media post proclaiming: “USA-USA-USA.”

U.S. Soccer welcomed the decision, while members of the American squad said they only became aware of the development through social media as they travelled to training ahead of the Belgium encounter in Seattle.

“We found out about it just coming over here,” forward Christian Pulisic told reporters, according to Reuters. “At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this is great news’.”

The decision has, however, provoked a strong reaction in Belgium.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and is examining all available options.

In a statement cited by Reuters, the RBFA argued that FIFA’s reliance on Article 27 appeared inconsistent with other provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the tournament regulations.

The Belgian federation pointed to Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code, which states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as well as Article 10.5 of the World Cup regulations, which similarly mandates an automatic suspension following a sending-off.

“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup,” the RBFA said, according to Reuters.

The federation added that FIFA’s decision appeared to contradict the tournament’s own regulations governing player suspensions.

The Reuters report noted that FIFA has previously exercised discretion in disciplinary cases. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to participate in the opening matches of a World Cup campaign after part of a suspension incurred during qualifying was suspended.

Similarly, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match suspension following a red-card offence that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during a World Cup match.

One of the most famous precedents dates back to the 1962 FIFA World Cup, when Brazilian legend Garrincha was sent off in the semi-final but later cleared to play in the final following a successful appeal supported by Chilean President Jorge Alessandri and local fans. Garrincha subsequently helped Brazil defeat Czechoslovakia 3-1 to retain the World Cup title.

The Balogun ruling is nevertheless expected to remain one of the most debated disciplinary decisions in World Cup history as the United States prepares for its high-stakes knockout clash against Belgium.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, METLIFE STADIUM, NEW JERSEY.

For Brazil, the World Cup script is becoming painfully familiar.

Another tournament. Another knockout-round encounter with European opposition. Another heartbreaking exit.

And this time, the executioner wore the colours of Norway and answered to the name Erling Haaland.

On a tense Sunday evening at the New York New Jersey Stadium, the towering striker delivered two devastating late strikes to send Norway into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history and prolong Brazil’s seemingly endless search for a return to football’s summit.

Twenty-four years have passed since Brazil last lifted the World Cup trophy in Yokohama in 2002. Since then, the Seleção have repeatedly stumbled whenever a European obstacle has appeared in the knockout rounds. The appointment of a European coach was supposed to signal a fresh chapter, a new approach and perhaps a cure for an increasingly troubling trend.

Instead, the ghosts returned.

Norway, making one of the deepest runs in their World Cup history, refused to be intimidated by the aura of the five-time champions. They remained disciplined, patient and organised, waiting for their moment while Brazil struggled to convert their opportunities.

That moment rarely arrived.

Brazil had the perfect chance to seize control after just 13 minutes when VAR intervened and awarded a penalty for Kristoffer Ajer’s challenge on Matheus Cunha. The yellow-clad supporters rose in anticipation, expecting Bruno Guimaraes to provide the breakthrough.

But football can be cruel.

The midfielder’s effort was saved, and with it came the feeling that this might not be Brazil’s night.

As the clock ticked down and extra time loomed, Norway’s star finally stepped onto centre stage.

In the 79th minute, Andreas Schjelderup whipped in a teasing cross from the left flank. Haaland timed his run perfectly, rose above the Brazilian defence and powered a header into the net.

The stadium erupted.

The Norwegian fans sensed history.

Brazil, stunned by the breakthrough, threw men forward in desperate search of an equaliser. But in doing so, they left themselves exposed.

And Haaland punished them.

In the 90th minute, Schjelderup once again proved the architect, winning possession before releasing Haaland. The Manchester City striker needed no second invitation. With trademark composure, he drilled a low shot beyond the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

At 2-0, the contest was effectively over.

The goals elevated Haaland to seven in the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the top of the Golden Boot race and further cementing his status as one of the defining figures of the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil found a late consolation when Neymar converted a penalty deep into stoppage time after Leo Ostigard was penalised for an elbow on Casemiro inside the box. But it was merely a footnote in a night that belonged to Norway.

When the final whistle sounded, Norwegian players collapsed in celebration while Brazilian stars stood motionless, staring into the distance as another World Cup dream disappeared.

For Norway, it was a landmark victory that will be remembered for generations. For Brazil, it was another painful reminder that the road back to World Cup glory remains frustratingly elusive.

The numbers tell a harsh story. Since conquering the world in 2002, Brazil have now suffered five World Cup eliminations against European opposition. Different players, different coaches, different generations—but the outcome remains remarkably unchanged.

As Norway march proudly into the quarter-finals, carried by the goals of a ruthless Haaland, Brazil are left to board another flight home, burdened once again by questions that have lingered for nearly a quarter of a century.

The samba has fallen silent.

And the European curse lives on.

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