Photo caption: Folarin Balogun of the United States talks to the media during a World Cup 2026 training session at Great Park Sports Complex on June 22, 2026 in Irvine, California. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JAMIE SQUIRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
FIFA has cleared United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in the country’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after overturning the suspension that followed his controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun, who scored the first goal in the USA’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was sent off later in the match, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee reversed the suspension ahead of Monday’s knockout fixture in Seattle after determining that the implementation of the disciplinary measure should be suspended, as reported by Fox Sports.
FIFA said the ban will be suspended for a year.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the football body said in a statement.
The decision came despite the fact that the United States Soccer Federation had no formal avenue to appeal the red card under FIFA regulations. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was said to have called for the red card to be rescinded.
According to reports, the incident became contentious because the Video Assistant Referee intervened and asked Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to review the challenge using the pitch-side monitor, even though Balogun had not initially been cautioned on the field.
Reacting to the development, the U.S. Soccer Federation welcomed the decision.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.
“Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans,” the federation said in a statement issued via Fox football analyst Stu Holden.
President Donald Trump also reacted to the suspension, thanking football’s world governing body.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Balogun has been the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament with three goals.
FIFA’s decision is in line with Chapter 4, Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which states that a judicial body “may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
The code further provides that if a player benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period, the suspension may be revoked and the original sanction enforced in addition to any new disciplinary measures.
Balogun’s availability is expected to boost the United States as it seeks a place in the quarter-finals against Belgium.
