United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his full support for FIFA’s extraordinary decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension, insisting the ruling respects the principles of “ethics and integrity” as the co-hosts prepare for a successful 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash against Belgium.The decision, which also prompted US President Donald Trump to publicly thank FIFA, has become one of the most controversial talking points of the tournament, with Belgium threatening to explore legal options and several coaches questioning the precedent it sets.
‘Everyone should celebrate’: Pochettino defends FIFA ruling
Speaking ahead of Monday’s knockout match, Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s decision to make Balogun available following the striker’s controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.“I think everyone who really watches the sport and trusts in ethics and integrity should celebrate that decision,” Pochettino told reporters.The former Argentina international argued that the United States had suffered enough during their 2-0 round of 32 victory, when Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute following a VAR review.“We were pretty punished against Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing with 10 men for 35 minutes after a decision that was completely unfair,” he said.Pochettino also said he was not surprised that President Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the incident.“I come from a culture, Argentina or Europe, in which football is a religion, more than religion,” Pochettino said. “If we keep going, maybe one more step tomorrow we will see that sport is magical, that sport is amazing, it is so powerful, it unites people, it unites a country like us.”
Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to Folarin Balogun (R) of the United States. (AP Photo)
Trump welcomes reversal; Belgian smoke
Trump reportedly called Infantino after the Bosnia game to request that FIFA review the red card shown to Balogun, the United States’ leading scorer with three goals in the tournament.Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump praised the governing body on social media.“Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote.FIFA said the suspension had been lifted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing Balogun on a one-year probationary period. If he committed a similar violation during that period, the suspended sanction would automatically take effect.The move appears to be the first time since the 1962 World Cup that a player sent off during the tournament has avoided serving an automatic suspension.
Belgium questions the legality of the decision
The Royal Belgian Football Federation reacted angrily, describing itself as “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and questioning its legal basis.While acknowledging that FIFA relied on Article 27, the RBFA argued that Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code clearly mandates an automatic suspension following a red card, noting that any other sending off in this World Cup has resulted in a one-match suspension.The Belgian coach, Rudi García, also mocked the timing of the decision.“I didn’t know that at the FIFA offices July 5th was April 1st in Europe,” García joked, comparing the ruling to an April Fool’s Day joke.The Belgian federation said it was exploring “all potential options” to protect “the fundamental principles of fair play”, while Norwegian coach Ståle Solbakken warned the ruling could create a dangerous precedent for future disciplinary decisions.
