FIFA’s decision to lift the automatic suspension of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun has caused an uproar. Balogun was red-carded against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week in the round of 32 but shockingly cleared to play against Belgium on Monday in Seattle in the round of 16. The Belgian federation was making a last-ditch appeal against the rare ruling. The suspension was erased after President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, fueling debate over whether political influence played a role.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Referee Raphael Claus, of Brazil, holds the red card after sending United States’ Folarin Balogun off the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Referee Raphael Claus, of Brazil, holds the red card after sending United States’ Folarin Balogun off the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) puts his foot down on Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) for which he received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) puts his foot down on Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) for which he received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) reacts after a tackle form United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) reacts after a tackle form United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) and Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) react after Balogun fouled Muharemovic during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) and Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) react after Balogun fouled Muharemovic during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) lays on the pitch after a foul against Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) lays on the pitch after a foul against Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) gets a pat on the head from Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac (5) as United States’ Christian Pulisic (10) stands by after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) gets a pat on the head from Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac (5) as United States’ Christian Pulisic (10) stands by after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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United States’ Sebastian Berhalter (14) consoles Folarin Balogun (20) after he received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
United States’ Sebastian Berhalter (14) consoles Folarin Balogun (20) after he received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
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