President Donald Trump has not attended a game at the World Cup despite the United States reaching the final on home soil. But that doesn't mean he's ignoring soccer.

On Sunday, Trump thanked FIFA on Truth Social. FIFA made a rare decision to lift the ban on striker Folarin Balogun for Monday's last-16 match against Belgium.

Trump wrote, "Thank you FIFA for righting a great injustice!"

What happened to Balogun?

After scoring the United States' first goal in a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 on Wednesday, Balogun was sent off for a tackle on defender Tarik Muharremovic.

Balogun is the United States' most effective striker at the World Cup. He has scored three goals for the United States in the ongoing World Cup.

Referee Rafael Klaus gave Balogan a straight red card after a video review. Slow-motion replays showed Balogan's foot landing just above Muharremovic's ankle. Balogan was given a straight red card for a serious foul and FIFA confirmed two days later that he would serve a one-match ban.

FIFA's disciplinary code does not allow for appeals against straight red cards. After the match, world football's top governing body and the US Soccer Federation confirmed that the action could not be challenged.

However, in a surprise announcement on Sunday, FIFA said that the dismissal would be overturned under Article 27 of its disciplinary code. FIFA said Balogan would face a one-match ban if he committed "another breach of the rules of the same nature and seriousness" within a year. Article 27 gives FIFA's judicial committee the power to suspend the implementation of disciplinary measures in whole or in part. This provision gives them the exclusive right to overturn referee decisions.

Has this happened before?

Article 27 has already had an impact at the World Cup, where FIFA used the same provision to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play the first two matches of the tournament.

The Portuguese forward was initially banned for three matches after receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland in a qualifier last November.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo's ban was reduced to one match, which was applied in the next qualifier against Armenia. This allowed him to play in the opening group stage matches of the World Cup against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan.

Ronaldo was a guest at the White House a week before his ban was lifted.

Similarly, in 1962, Brazilian superstar Garrincha was sent off in the semi-finals after receiving a red card. He also played in the final against Czechoslovakia despite this. Brazil won the match 3-1.

What was Trump's role?
According to sources given to the British media The Guardian, Trump has called FIFA three times since Wednesday to request this change. Both FIFA and the White House have not yet responded to this issue.

How has Belgium taken it?

Belgium has publicly condemned the move. The team's coach Rudi Garcia had previously prepared a strategy taking into account the situation in which the US's main striker was banned. But now, in the last situation, the strategy may have to be changed.

The Royal Belgian Football Association has accused FIFA of breaking its own rules. It also left open the possibility of legal action. 'We are shocked by this decision,' the statement said. 'This decision is completely contrary to the provisions of the competition regulations for the 2026 World Cup.'