Balogun cleared for Belgium after Trump's call to FIFA

Balogun is free to play, and Trump made the call

Folarin Balogun will face Belgium on Monday after his red-card ban was overturned, and President Donald Trump confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review it (1) (2) (5) (8). The sequence is wild: a straight red in the group stage, a suspension that looked certain, then a phone call from the White House to Gianni Infantino. FIFA's disciplinary committee reversed the decision. Balogun is now available for the biggest U.S. match of the tournament.

USA vs Belgium, quarter-final in Seattle

Lumen Field. Monday. A spot in the World Cup semi-finals on the line. Belgium stand between your team and something no USMNT side has reached since 1930 (2) (3) (5) (6) (7). Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, all expected to start (5) (7). Youri Tielemans anchors a Belgian midfield that will test every U.S. weakness (2) (3). Sportsbooks have the game tight, and every U.S. win this tournament has put bookmakers deeper in the red (6).

Ream: Pochettino is all in

Tim Ream says Mauricio Pochettino's commitment to the U.S. project is total (4). The veteran defender told reporters he has never seen a coach so invested in every detail of preparation. Pochettino has the squad believing they can go further than anyone outside the camp expects. Ream also brushed off talk of pressure ahead of the Bosnia win, saying the group feels loose and ready (4).

Fan reactions

The Balogun decision has lit up Reddit. One thread tracing political interference at World Cups from Mussolini to Trump has fans split between outrage and dark amusement. Some see the overturned red as a gift that taints the tournament. Plenty more are just relieved their striker is cleared. Read the full thread here.