SEATTLE \u2014 The rumors and whispers started flying around the U.S. national team\u2019s bus on the way to training Sunday morning, and within 10 minutes, it was confirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone knows with AI and this and that, it can be a few question marks,\u201d Chris Richards said.<\/p>\n
Yes, this was so unexpected, so out of nowhere, that players on the team themselves wondered if the news was AI generated.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-game suspension for a red card<\/a> \u2014 one that cannot be appealed according to FIFA\u2019s own regulations <\/a>\u2014 was suspended, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 match Monday night against Belgium.<\/p>\n USMNT striker Folarin Balogun fouls Bosnia-Herzegovina\u2019s Tarik Muharemovic, resulting in a red card after VAR review. REUTERS<\/p>\n FIFA itself confirmed the news in a statement, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code, the same precedent it used to defer Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s suspension so the Portuguese legend wouldn\u2019t miss games at this World Cup.<\/p>\n Section 1 of Article 27 states: \u201cThe judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.\u201d<\/p>\n Section 2 states: \u201cBy suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d President Trump posted on his social-media platform Truth Social<\/a>. Trump, according to multiple reports, called Gianni Infantino directly asking him to review the red card.<\/p>\n Folarin Balogun hugs Christian Pulisic at USMNT practice on July 5, 2026 after learning he can play in the World Cup Round of 16 vs. Belgium. Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Though U.S. Soccer was engaged in the process behind the scenes, coach Mauricio Pochettino said he wasn\u2019t involved and pleaded ignorance on Trump\u2019s involvement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe celebrate the decision,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cWe were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men [for] 30 minutes, in a decision that was completely unfair.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s not only because I am the head coach of the U.S. men\u2019s national team, I need to defend my side. It\u2019s only because I think 100 or 99.9 percent, that we all agree it was an unfair red card.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,\u201d U.S. Soccer said in a statement. \u201cOur 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 From left: Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright and Mark McKenzie during USMNT practice on July 4, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n Balogun himself was informed of the decision before the team boarded the bus to training.<\/p>\n Once the team arrived, everyone was smiling. The most important game the program has played in at least 24 years will feature its star striker.<\/p>\n \u201cAt first you\u2019re like, \u2018Oh, really? Is this real?\u2019 \u201d Christian Pulisic said. \u201cThen, \u2018Oh, this is great news.\u2019 Obviously we\u2019re just happy to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royal Belgian Football Association, by contrast, released a statement saying it was \u201castonished\u201d by the decision and would \u201cinvestigate all potential options\u201d in response.<\/p>\n Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don\u2019t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial<\/a> to stream it all.<\/p>\n