{"id":26434,"date":"2026-07-05T21:08:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T21:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/26434\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T21:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T21:08:46","slug":"us-striker-balogun-cleared-to-play-against-belgium-after-fifa-belays-red-card-suspension-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/26434\/","title":{"rendered":"US striker Balogun cleared to play against Belgium after FIFA belays red card suspension"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – United States soccer star Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in Monday\u2019s World Cup elimination game against Belgium after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee belayed his red card suspension<\/a> on Sunday (July 5).<\/p>\n

The unusual decision was announced on the eve of the round of 16 game set for Monday night in Seattle. The 25-year-old, New York-born attacker has three goals for the United States thus far in the tournament.<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social his gratitude for FIFA\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n

The extraordinary ruling by the sport\u2019s governing body will no doubt be controversial. Under FIFA rules, the United States had no recourse by which to appeal the red card issued against Balogun in the 64th minute of America\u2019s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the Achilles tendon and heel of opponent Tarik Muharemovi\u0107. <\/p>\n

The US went on to win the game, 2-0, despite being down a player for the last 30 minutes of the game.<\/p>\n

Because he was issued a red card, Balogun was suspended from the upcoming game, until FIFA ruled otherwise Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,\u201d the committee said in a press release. \u201cIf Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Folarin Balogun gets a massive hug from a USMNT staffer upon arriving for training today, moments after FIFA confirms that his ban has been suspended pic.twitter.com\/A7rcmm2zkh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) July 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Teammates learned of Balogun\u2019s availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday from their hotel to training at the University of Washington.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a lot of us thought it was AI at first,\u2019\u201d defender Chris Richards said.<\/p>\n

The US is hoping to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Balogun\u2019s return is a huge boost to its attack against Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Cortois, the No. 1 keeper of Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

The US Soccer Federation, the governing body of the American national team, issued a statement that said, \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

As much as I\u2019m thrilled Balogun can play for the #usmnt<\/a> against Belgium I hate this decision. Whether corruption or just incompetence (with FIFA that\u2019s a coin flip), the entire thing has been handled so poorly and now gives the world an excuse to dismiss anything they accomplish.<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Pitchside Pub (@PitchsidePub) July 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

US forward Christian Pulisic said he considered the lifted suspension to be just.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all,\u201d he said. \u201cI felt like there was much worse ones that went on this tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n

The USSF said it will not make Balogun available for comment Sunday, but Balogun posted on social media a picture of himself in front of U.S. fans and overlaid with music of Michael Jackson\u2019s pop single \u201cBad.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFA in November deferred the final two games of a three-match ban<\/a> for Portugal\u2019s Cristiano Ronaldo for a red card against Ireland<\/a> in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play at the start of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Argentine defender Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi and Ecuadoran midfielder Mois\u00e9s Caicedo in April had one-game bans deferred<\/a> for red cards in qualifiers, also allowing them to be available for World Cup openers.<\/p>\n

Brazil\u2019s Garrincha was ejected from a 1962 semifinal but allowed to play in the final against Chile after political pressure and scored twice in a 3-1 win.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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