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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Brian Yalung

FIFA Reverses Folarin Balogun's Ban After Trump Intervened; The First World Cup Red Card Reversal Since 1962

Donald Trump became embroiled in the controversy surrounding Balogun's suspension. (Credit: Bryan Berlin | Wikimedia Commons)

United States President Donald Trump has upended the 2026 World Cup after personally intervening to have a red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun overturned — the first such reversal at football's showpiece tournament in over six decades.

Balogun had been expected to miss Monday's last-16 clash against Belgium after picking up a red card for an awkward challenge on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, a decision USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino branded unjust.

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