USA v Belgium LIVE: Trump reveals talks with Fifa over Balogun ban as USMNT prepare for crunch World Cup last 16 tie

Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the calf of the defender before landing on, and twisting, his ankle.

The forward has been an influential player for the World Cup 2026 co-hosts and would have missed the last-16 clash with Belgium due to a one-match ban following his dismissal.

It came like a bolt from the blue, so much so that many Team USA players and staff were completely unaware of the pack of cards being shuffled behind closed doors on Sunday morning. US defender Chris Richards even admitted: “I thought it was AI at first.”

The extraordinary decision by Fifa to “suspend” Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina means the United States will have their star striker available for the last-16 tie against Belgium, who maintain they are “astonished” at the decision. Just thirty-two hours before kick-off in Seattle, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a massive boost to his hopes of a quarter-final spot.

It is extraordinary because the case seemed closed: Fifa confirmed after the Bosnia match that, rightly or wrongly, there were no grounds for the US to appeal the decision or the sanction. However, the first indications that wheels were perhaps in motion higher up the food chain came on Friday.

After an extraordinary 24 hours with Fifa changing Folarin Balogun’s ban to a suspended ban, the football world has melted.

The Belgian FA are furious, Norway’s manager has joined the debate, despite his side not being impacted directly, and now Trump has candidly spoken about his direct involvement with Fifa President Gianni Infantino.

Many are suggesting that the decision on Balogun compromises the fair play and integrity of the tournament.

And in just a few hours, the USMNT will be playing Belgium in a massive last 16 tie. We’ll have all the build-up for you.