By Ayobami Okerinde

United States striker Folarin Balogun has become one of the biggest talking points at the 2026 FIFA World Cup because of the controversy surrounding the suspension of his one-match ban.

The 25-year-old, who has scored three goals for the tournament co-hosts, was initially ruled out of Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

However, FIFA, on Sunday, suspended the automatic one-match ban for a year, making Balogun available for selection.

The decision, reportedly made after US President Donald Trump personally appealed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has triggered widespread criticism from football officials, coaches and governing bodies.

Born an American by chance

Although Balogun grew up in London and is the son of Nigerian parents, he became an American citizen by birth under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

His mother, Florence, travelled to New York while seven months pregnant in 2001. She had intended to return to London after the holiday, but airlines refused to let her fly because of her advanced pregnancy.

As a result, Balogun was born in Brooklyn and spent the first few months of his life in New York before returning with his mother to the United Kingdom.

Under the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” That constitutional provision automatically made Balogun an American citizen from birth despite his parents residing in the UK.

Balogun was eligible to represent the United States, England (where he was raised) and Nigeria through his parents. He represented England at several youth levels but announced in May 2023 that he had switched his international allegiance to the United States after obtaining FIFA approval.

FIFA decision sparks backlash

The decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium despite the automatic suspension has provoked fierce criticism.

Belgium’s Football Association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling, arguing it undermined the integrity of the competition.

“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match on Monday,” it said in a statement.

Also, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp described the decision as “crazy,” insisting football rules should not be influenced by political intervention.

“It’s a red card, even if it’s a shame because Balogun can’t play, but it’s there in the rules,” Klopp said.

“This is our game, not theirs… If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that’s crazy. It calls everything into question…

UEFA also condemned the ruling, saying FIFA had “crossed a red line” by suspending the mandatory ban, warning the decision threatened the principles of fair play and consistency in world football.

“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line,” read UEFA’s strongly worded statement.

“Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not.”