Folarin Balogun Reflects on Controversial World Cup Suspension

Folarin Balogun emerged as the United States men’s national team’s breakout star during the 2026 World Cup. He also found himself at the center of one of the tournament’s biggest disputes, the second act of which brought a bittersweet realization.

Once the 25-year-old AS Monaco striker learned that the red-card suspension he was supposed to serve during the Round of 16 had actually been suspended, he experienced a mix of instant euphoria and eventual concern.

“My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it’s something that’s so unique,” Balogun told CBS Mornings on Tuesday.

“The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise, and that’s hard to avoid.”

The change in punishment arrived one day before the USMNT’s highly anticipated knockout round match versus Belgium, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. Belgium’s soccer governing body expressed outrage over FIFA’s decision. It released a statement questioning the ruling and highlighting a contradiction within the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The fallout of Balogun’s sudden availability sparked more than just soccer discourse. Political conversations intensified after reports surfaced that U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino midweek to ask the governing body to review the ban. The following Monday, hours before the USMNT’s Round of 16 match in Seattle and a day after Balogun learned he could play, Trump confirmed his involvement.

“All I did, I asked for a review, cause I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said at a White House media briefing. “I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.

“If they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe among the best players, on the team to play, I think it would have had a big stain.”

Trump added: “I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do. And I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision. And they made the right decision. …”

Reports later indicated that the decision to suspend Balogun’s red card came solely from FIFA disciplinary chair Mohammad al-Kamali without input from the other 17 committee members.

Trump questioned the credentials of referee Raphael Claus, who issued the red card during the U.S.’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. However, not everyone agreed with the change. Former USMNT head coach Bruce Arena labeled the play as “dangerous” and supported the initial discipline, arguing that “intent doesn’t matter.”

Balogun stepping on the back of the leg of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović appeared accidental, and Balogun stated in his interview on CBS Mornings that “it wasn’t even a tackle.”

The use of VAR to analyze the play also sat at the heart of the debate, as the contact was not called a foul in real time.

“I was totally in shock. I think you could see my reaction,” Balogun said Tuesday. “But yeah, I just had to accept the decision and just try and be there for my team.”

While he took the high road, he maintained that he did not deserve a red card.

“When something’s not intentional, it should never be a red card,” he told CBS Mornings. “So it was just an unfortunate situation, and I think it put a lot more pressure on us than we needed.”

After winning three of its first four matches in the World Cup, the USMNT struggled in a 4-1 defeat to Belgium on July 6. Even with Balogun in the lineup, the Americans failed to generate significant offense as defensive errors proved costly.

Balogun, who scored three goals in the tournament, was held scoreless in that match.

Current USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the loss on the distractions surrounding the squad. Balogun explained Tuesday that the team maintained their focus despite the surrounding noise.

“From me being inside the camp and inside the setup, I know we had full concentration going into the game,” he said.

FIFA fined Balogun $40,000 for the red card, though the suspension was delayed by one year. Despite the controversy, Balogun increased his global profile. He just signed with Klutch Sports Group, the agency founded by Rich Paul. He also remains appreciative of the team’s unity during the World Cup.

“It was amazing to be a part of it. I really felt we was able to unite the country,” Balogun told CBS Mornings.

“That was an aspiration of mine and the team before we set out, and I definitely felt that. I think you could see how many fans and how many young kids really were captured by it. And as I said, that’s a very special feeling to be a part of that.”