President Donald Trump, on Monday, said he would be displeased if Belgium beat the United States in their 2026 FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match on Tuesday without star forward Folarin Balogun. 

Balogun was expected to miss the game against Belgium following his red card in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA, in a controversial move on Sunday, probationary suspended the one-match ban for a period of one year. 

The decision has sparked widespread outrage across the footballing world, with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) stating that the federation will challenge the eligibility of the 25-year-old player for Tuesday’s match. 

Commenting on the matter on Monday, Mr Trump confirmed he lobbied FIFA to set aside the red card decision before adding that Belgium can be proud of themselves if they beat the United States without Balogun. 

He, however, noted that the feeling would be different if the European country were to win without Balogun available for the United States.

Mr Trump also mentioned that he would consider reaching out to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever about the situation. 

He said, “I didn’t think of it, but I would. He’s a good man. I will tell you this, the people in Belgium, if they win the game, they can be very proud. If they would win the game with a player missing it would be a different feeling. You can’t do that. 

“I’m very glad. All I did was ask for a review; I didn’t say ‘you have to do this’. This man is a smart, tough man. Gianni Infantino. He’s a smart, tough man. And his stock has gone through the roof because the job he’s done has been great. 

“And I feel we have to have all the best players on the field. You can’t take the best players.”

Despite a lack of evidence, Mr Trump has long maintained that his 2020 presidential election loss to former President Joe Biden was stolen.