US star Balogun knew red card changes ‘could cause a lot of controversy’ | World Cup 2026 news

The boxer says FIFA’s decision to lift his one-match ban caused “external noise” ahead of the USA Boxing Games.

US striker Folarin Balogun says he expects “a lot of controversy” after FIFA served his one-game ban at the World Cup following a request by the President of the United States Donald Trump to review the decision.

Balogun was released during his team 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past 32 years, but FIFA controversially suspended its ban for a one-year trial. The shooter spoke about the incident for the first time in an interview with CBS Mornings on Tuesday.

“My first reaction was to be happy to be back in the team, but when I started thinking about it, I knew it would cause a lot of controversy,” he said.

“I almost saw my friends shaking because it was something very special.

“But when we got closer to the game, I tried to focus as much as possible, but it was difficult – external noise, and it is difficult to avoid it.”

Balogun received a red card for a hard step on the right knee of Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic as the United States won 2-0 in their last-32 match, prompting a one-game suspension.

FIFA’s decision to lift the ban – which allowed Falogun to play against Belgium – sparked outrage in the football world, as well as accusations that the body had imposed its rules. Please Trump.

Football’s world governing body has announced it has suspended the red card as the US president urged FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the case.

The decision drew criticism from the Belgian football federation, Europe’s biggest football governing body, a former FIFA boss, several former players, and many others. The opposition argued that dropping the red card suspension after direct political interference undermined the integrity of the competition and set a dangerous precedent.

Balogun admitted that the saga messed up the days for him. After the red card was handed out, he took part in training to try to improve the team’s morale before he knew he was allowed to play.

“We found out on the team bus. Everyone was like screaming and yelling,” Balogun said. “It was a very difficult bus ride to the training ground.”

The US striker said it was not difficult to separate “the mind from the task at hand” ahead of the game against Belgium.

“We are all professionals, so it’s not something that I think was difficult to part with when we first heard the announcement that I would be coming back,” Balogun said.

The USA lost 1-4 to Belgium, with Balogun struggling to turn the game around, following a successful campaign in which he scored three goals.