United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his full support behind FIFA’s shocking decision to suspend Folarin Balogun for one match, insisting the decision is in line with the principles of “morality and integrity” as his teammates prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 in Belgium.The decision, which also prompted US President Donald Trump to thank FIFA, has become one of the most controversial of the tournament, with Belgium threatening legal action and several coaches questioning the incident.
‘Everyone should celebrate’: Pochettino defends FIFA’s decision
Speaking ahead of Monday’s knockout encounter, Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s move to make Balogun available after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.“I think everyone who focuses on the game and believes in ethics and integrity should celebrate this decision,” Pochettino told reporters.The former Argentina international said the United States had already struggled in its 2-0 Round of 32 win, when Balogun was sent off 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 unfair,” he said.Pochettino also said he was not surprised that President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the incident.“I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that soccer, football is a religion, more than a religion,” said Pochettino. “If we continue, we push forward, maybe one more step tomorrow you will see that this game is magical, that this game is amazing, it is very powerful, unite people, unite the world like us.”
Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to Folarin Balogun of the United States (R). (AP Photo)
Trump welcomes change; Belgium smoke
According to reports, Trump called Infantino after the Bosnia game to ask FIFA to review the red card shown by Balogun, who is the United States’ top scorer with three goals per game.Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump praised the governing body on social media.“Thank you to FIFA for doing good, and ending a great injustice!” he wrote.FIFA said the suspension was lifted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing Balogun on a one-year probationary period. If he commits a similar offense during that time, the suspended sentence will come into effect.The move marks the first time since the 1962 World Cup that a player has been sent off in a match to avoid suspension.
Belgium doubts that the decision was legal
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted angrily, describing itself as “surprised” by FIFA’s decision and questioning its legal basis.Although accepting FIFA’s reliance on Article 27, the RBFA said that Article 66.4 of the Penal Code mandates that suspensions only occur after a red card, noting that any other suspension at this World Cup has resulted in a single ban.Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also scoffed at the timing of the decision.“I didn’t know that in the FIFA offices the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said, likening the decision to an April Fools’ joke.The Belgian association said it was investigating “everything possible” to protect “important principles of fair play,” while Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, warned the decision could set a dangerous precedent for future elections.