Folarin Balogun's World Cup dream was hanging by a thread until a phone call from the White House appears to have changed everything. FIFA announced on Sunday that the American forward's one-match suspension, triggered by a straight red card in the round of 32, would be lifted in time for the United States' round of 16 match against Belgium.
The decision followed a call from President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, first reported by the New York Times, which cited a person familiar with the matter speaking on condition of anonymity. The reversal has been celebrated by Trump and the US camp, while Belgium has reacted with fury.
