FIFA’s move to overturn U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card, following direct involvement from President Donald Trump, has ignited a storm of political and sporting controversy, with many fearing it could overshadow the team’s World Cup campaign.

Balogun, 25, has been a standout performer for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, scoring three goals in as many matches. However, his momentum was halted when he was shown a red card during the round of 32 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, a decision that initially ruled him out of the last-16 match against Belgium.

Just a day later, Trump reportedly phoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino, after which FIFA announced that Balogun’s suspension had been suspended, allowing him to feature in the crucial knockout fixture on Monday.

Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a known critic of Trump, wrote that FIFA’s action amounted to corruption, saying, “Even FIFA is engaged in Trump crime family corruption. If USA wins the cup there will now always be an asterisk. Fair or unfair.”

Political analyst Cyrus Janssen and commentator Brian Krassenstein both argued that Trump’s intervention had put the U.S. team in an impossible position, as any future success would now be questioned for legitimacy.

Janssen remarked, “This isn’t good karma for the U.S. Men’s Team. The President of the United States should not have the authority to influence FIFA’s disciplinary decisions. Yet Trump has once again shown he operates beyond the law, leaving America without checks and balances.”

He added, “It’s a lose-lose scenario for Team USA. If we beat Belgium, it will be seen as a tainted win achieved through presidential interference. If we lose, then even the President’s meddling couldn’t help us.”

Krassenstein criticised social media users celebrating the decision, saying, “Trump getting Folarin Balogun unsuspended from the World Cup just proves that everything he touches becomes delegitimised. Now, if the U.S. wins, the victory will always be under question. Thanks, Trump.”

Journalist Julia Ioffe accused Trump of hypocrisy, highlighting how he recently sought to challenge birthright citizenship in the Supreme Court, while now intervening on behalf of Balogun — who qualifies to represent the U.S. due to his birth in New York in July 2001 to British parents temporarily visiting the country.

Ioffe wrote, “The irony is striking — Trump calls FIFA to overturn a red card for Balogun because he knows the U.S. can’t win without him, even though Balogun is only eligible to play for the U.S. through birthright citizenship, which Trump himself has tried to abolish.”

FIFA explained its decision in a statement, saying, “In line with Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during this probationary period, the suspension shall be reinstated and enforced, alongside any additional sanctions for the new offence.”

Trump later posted on Truth Social, thanking FIFA for “reversing a great injustice.” It was his first active involvement in the tournament, having not attended any World Cup matches so far. Before Trump’s intervention, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had commented that the U.S. “got screwed” by Balogun’s sending off.

Reports indicate that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, also privately contacted FIFA to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who last year drew criticism for presenting Trump with the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize,’ again finds himself at the centre of controversy.

Pochettino and U.S. playmaker Christian Pulisic have welcomed the decision, but critics have echoed the sentiments of Belgium manager Rudi Garcia, who quipped, “I didn’t know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools. We’re not only defending our team but football’s integrity. This is unprecedented in World Cup history.”

The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed “astonishment” at the reversal, pointing out that the World Cup does not permit appeals against bookings or dismissals. European pundits were similarly scathing in their reactions.

On ITV, Gary Neville said Balogun’s reinstatement “absolutely stinks,” while Wayne Rooney told the BBC, “If I were the USA’s opponent, I’d be furious. It’s wrong on every level and frankly, an absolute disgrace.”

Even England manager Thomas Tuchel joined in the mockery, joking that he might appeal directly to Trump to overturn Jarell Quansah’s red card from England’s thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico.