Norway's national team manager Ståle Solbakken on Sunday sharply criticized FIFA's decision to overturn the one-match suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, calling the move a damaging blow to the integrity of the World Cup. The decision came after President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Speaking after Norway's 2-1 Round of 16 victory over Brazil, Solbakken did not mince words. "I have to be honest, I think that's a big mistake by FIFA. I think it's not a great conclusion," he told reporters. "It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup."
Balogun, who leads the U.S. team with three goals in the tournament, was shown a red card following an instant replay review during the U.S.'s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Under standard FIFA policy, a red card triggers an automatic one-game suspension. However, after Trump confirmed he spoke to Infantino about the matter, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced that Balogun's suspension would be deferred for a one-year probationary period, allowing him to play in Monday's Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Trump praised the reversal, stating that FIFA did "what was right" by "reversing a great injustice." He claimed the play in question "wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction" and questioned the use of instant replay. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed "astonishment" and filed an appeal, arguing the decision undermines fair play.
Solbakken warned that the controversy will hang over the U.S. team if it advances. "It will be over the United States now, because if they beat Belgium, it will always have that extra thing about it," he said. He also raised concerns about precedent: "What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there going to be some committee somewhere that is going to take that card away?"
The incident has reignited debate about political influence in international sports. Prior to the tournament, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, signaling a close alignment. While Infantino does not sit on the Disciplinary Committee—chaired by the UAE's Mohammad Al Kamali with 17 members, none American—the timing of Trump's call has drawn scrutiny. Trump's FIFA inquiry sparked outrage ahead of the match, with critics accusing the president of leveraging his office to sway tournament outcomes. UEFA condemned the reversal as a 'red-line' breach of sporting integrity.
FIFA officials cited precedent, noting that in November the body deferred the final two games of a three-match suspension for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, allowing him to play in the World Cup uninterrupted. But Solbakken argued that the Balogun case is different because of the direct presidential involvement. "I feel sorry for the United States, because if they win, it will always hang in the balance," he said. "Not good for the sport. Bad decision by FIFA."
The U.S.-Belgium match is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT at Lumen Field in Seattle. Regardless of the outcome, the controversy is likely to overshadow the remainder of the tournament and fuel ongoing questions about the intersection of politics and international soccer governance.
