United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his full support behind FIFA’s extraordinary decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, insisting the ruling upheld the principles of “ethics and integrity” as the co-hosts prepare for a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 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 encounter, Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s move to make Balogun available after the striker’s controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.“I think everyone who really looked at 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 already suffered enough during its 2-0 Round of 32 victory, when Balogun was dismissed in the 64th minute after a VAR review.“We were punished enough 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 seek a review of the incident.“I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football, soccer is a religion, more than the religion,” Pochettino said. “If we keep going, pushing on, maybe one step more tomorrow you will see that the sport is magic, that the sport is amazing, is so powerful, unite people, unite a country like us.”
Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun (R). (AP Photo)
Trump welcomes reversal; Belgium fume
According to reports, Trump called Infantino after the Bosnia match to request that FIFA review the red card shown to Balogun, who is the United States’ leading scorer with three goals at the tournament.Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump praised the governing body on social media.“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, 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. Should he commit a similar offence during that period, the suspended sanction would automatically come into 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 the automatic suspension.
Belgium questions legality of decision
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted angrily, describing itself as “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and questioning its legal basis.While acknowledging FIFA’s reliance on Article 27, the RBFA argued that Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code clearly mandates an automatic suspension after a red card, noting that every other dismissal at this World Cup has resulted in a one-match ban.Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also mocked the timing of the decision.“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia quipped, likening the ruling to an April Fools’ joke.The Belgian federation said it is exploring “all potential options” to protect “the fundamental principles of fair play,” while Norway coach Ståle Solbakken warned the ruling could create a dangerous precedent for future disciplinary decisions.
