What's the point of winning a FIFA Peace Prize?': Pressure mounts against Donald Trump to pardon Folarin Balogun

The point of winning a FIFA Peace Prize is being questioned as pressure builds on U.S. President Donald Trump to pardon Folarin Balogun after a World Cup red card that threatens the team’s next match. The USMNT beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night, but the victory came with a cost: Balogun, the United States’ top scorer for the 2026 World Cup, was sent off via a second-half red card. Malik Tillman scored late while the U.S. played a man down, yet the team must now face Belgium without Balogun due to an automatic one-game suspension. The red card followed a VAR review after Balogun dragged his studs on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg and onto his foot. Former refereeing and media voices criticized the decision as excessively harsh. Commentators say FIFA has no appeals process that would allow rescinding the card, but they note Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are close, leaving slim hopes Balogun could return for Monday.