Folarin Balogun will start for the United States against Belgium in Monday's round-of-16 World Cup clash after his one-match ban was suspended by FIFA following the intervention of President Donald Trump.
Balogun was named by coach Mauricio Pochettino in the co-hosts' official starting XI, despite having been sent off in the previous round, as the US seek to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
The decision by soccer's world governing body to clear striker Balogun to play has rocked the World Cup.
Balogun, who has scored three goals at this tournament, had been set to miss Monday's match after being sent off for inadvertently treading on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic in the USA's 2-0 victory in the last 32 on Wednesday.
It subsequently emerged that the bombshell ruling to let him play followed a personal call by President Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urging him to review Balogun's punishment.
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted furiously, saying Monday it had "no alternative but to challenge Balogun's eligibility for the upcoming match."
FIFA later on Monday dismissed Belgium's appeal as "inadmissible".
Trump on Monday confirmed he had spoken to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino personally to raise the issue of Balogun's suspension "because I didn't think it was a foul."
"All I did was ask for a review, I didn't say you have to do this," Trump said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted the global governing body's disciplinary process was independent and had not been influenced by Trump's phone call.
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