FIFA has allowed US soccer player Folarin Balogun to play in Monday's game against Belgium, reversing a one-game suspension that happened after President Trump called FIFA's leader to ask for a second look The Athletic. This is the first time since 1962 that FIFA has overturned a suspension like this The New York Times.

Balogun was kicked out of a match in the 64th minute for stepping on an opponent's ankle. A red card—soccer's way of ejecting a player—usually means you're banned from the next game. But this time, FIFA changed that decision AP. Before getting in trouble, Balogun had scored three goals in the tournament, making him the US team's most important attacker AP.

FIFA's official website says Balogun got a "one-year probationary suspension" instead of a straight ban, which is why he can now play FIFA. It's a technical way of getting around the normal rules.

Trump said he called FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, to discuss the red card The Athletic. He says he didn't pressure FIFA to change its mind—only that he raised the issue—though he also said FIFA made the right call The Guardian Al Jazeera. Some news outlets, including Al Jazeera, have called the whole thing controversial Al Jazeera.

Infantino, FIFA's president, has defended his decision without denying that Trump called him The Athletic. A human rights group told Reuters it could be a serious problem for Infantino, questioning whether FIFA can stay fair and impartial Reuters.

Here's why this matters beyond just one game. FIFA has rules specifically designed to stop politicians and leaders from calling the shots on sports decisions. When a president of the United States calls the head of world soccer to help his country's team, it tests whether those rules actually work. The fact that FIFA hasn't done this since 1962 shows how unusual it is.

Trump says he just asked FIFA to reconsider; he didn't twist anyone's arm. But whether his call actually changed FIFA's mind or just happened at the right moment is still unclear. What we know is that Infantino felt he needed to explain his decision, which itself raises a red flag about FIFA's promise to keep politics out of sports rules.

For the US team, this is simple: their best scorer gets to play Monday. For FIFA, it's much bigger. If a president can call and get a suspension overturned, other countries will probably try the same thing. This decision could shape how FIFA makes decisions for years to come.