But after a decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee, and an apparent call from President Donald Trump, Balogun was back in the starting lineup on Monday amid a swirl of controversy. And it didn't even make a difference.

Folarin Balogun elected to represent the U.S. in 2023 for the chance to play at a home World Cup. He never imagined that a refereeing call against him would become an international incident.

Follow LIVE updates as the 2026 World Cup continues with FIFA president Gianni Infantino responding to comments made by US President Donald Trump

The victorious Belgium team mainly let their skills do the talking at the World Cup after a day of red card suspension controversy, a failed appeal, and the unsurprising intervention of Donald Trump.

U.S. striker Falorin Balogun was in the starting lineup against Belgium after FIFA suspended his red card ban after President Trump asked for a review.

Donald Trump's intervention into FIFA World Cup affairs has left a political scar on the tournament that was arguably never witnessed before.

The intervention by the U.S. president was a bizarre twist in a story that will reverberate throughout this summer and beyond