4 min readJul 6, 2026 11:13 PM IST FIFA suspending USA striker Folarin Balogun’s post-red card suspension has taken the spotlight ahead of the co-hosts’ 2026 World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. US President Donald Trump later admitted asking FIFA president Gianni Infantino to let Balogun play, with the global governing body’s decision only the second instance out of 189 red cards in World Cup history. Brazil great Garrincha’s red card during the team’s semi-final against Chile in the 1962 World Cup being overturned with the Brazilian playing in the final against Czechoslovakia. Balogun was handed the red card by referee Raphael Claus in the 64th minute of USA’s round of 32 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA overturned the red card citing article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Balogun’s team-mate and USA defender Chris Richards have revealed how the team first thought the decision was AI and stuff before they found out that the decision was true. “I don’t know when Balo (Folarin Balogun) found out. If he knew before us, he kept …