FIFA's decision to allow United States Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun to participate in the Round of 16 for the 2026 World Cup led to a nationwide cheer and notable support from former Detroit Lions quarterback Chase Daniel and President Donald Trump.

An NFL veteran, Chase Daniel, who spent one year of his career with the Detroit Lions, rapidly posted on the platform X when the FIFA announcement was released.

"AMERICA!!!! FIFA makes the correct decision…imagine that!" Chase Daniel wrote on X.

This response followed FIFA's Disciplinary Committee's decision to adjust Balogun's automatic one-match ban to a one-year probationary suspension after applying Article 27 of its sporting code. 

In the 2026 World Cup, Balogun was sent off after receiving a straight red card in the 64th minute of a match where the USA team won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

News broke that Trump had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier that week to ask that Balogun’s ban be reviewed. After FIFA announced the ban’s reversal, the official White House account quote-tweeted Trump’s statement.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the White House account shared the President's statement on X.

It is well documented that Trump and Infantino have a relationship in which Infantino awarded Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup Draw in December 2025.

While the White House didn’t explicitly take credit for the outcome, the events, the call, the review, and the reversal got a lot of attention.

That order of events leads up to one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun is available for the USA vs Belgium after FIFA overturns the red card ban

Ahead of their Round of 16 match against Belgium, the USMNT received favorable news. Balogun was cleared to play after his one-game suspension was lifted by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

An incident involving Balogun’s challenge on a Bosnian defender was reviewed by VAR. He had the suspension lifted and is now eligible to participate in the game on Monday in Seattle.

US Soccer was pleased with the decision.

"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle," the federation said, via Chuck Booth, CBS Sports.

Belgium reacted completely differently.

"The Royal Belgian Football Association is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play," the RBFA said, via CBS Sports.

The decision has a one-year probation period. If Balogun commits a similar offense in that period, the ban will be reinstated. With three tournament goals, Balogun could help the US reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

Did FIFA make the right call by overturning Folarin Balogun's suspension just in time for the Belgium clash? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore