Trump got a US player's suspension overturned at the World Cup by leaning on FIFA — good news for the US team, bad news for the idea that FIFA has any rules at all.

• US forward Balagan got a red card for a tackle against Bosnia, which auto-suspended him for the Belgium game.
• The White House made a direct call to FIFA chief Infantino and sent a team of outside lawyers to challenge the call, arguing slow-motion replay to issue red cards breaks FIFA's own rules.
• FIFA's "independent" committee reversed the suspension; Trump publicly thanked FIFA without claiming credit.
• Belgium is appealing and UEFA says canceling a suspension mid-tournament "crossed a red line," calling the game's integrity into question.
• Balagan, born in the US to a Nigerian family, grew up in England but switched to Team USA thanks to birthright citizenship.

Outlook: The US plays Belgium tonight with Balagan cleared, but Belgium's appeal and European backlash mean the fight over the ruling isn't over.