NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – United States soccer star Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in Monday’s World Cup elimination game against Belgium after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee belayed his red card suspension on Sunday (July 5).
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.
President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social his gratitude for FIFA’s decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
The extraordinary ruling by the sport’s 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’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the Achilles tendon and heel of opponent Tarik Muharemović.
The US went on to win the game, 2-0, despite being down a player for the last 30 minutes of the game.
Because he was issued a red card, Bolagun was suspended from the upcoming game, until FIFA ruled otherwise Sunday.
“By 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,” the committee said in a press release. “If 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.”
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
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) July 5, 2026
The US is hoping to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Balogun’s return is a huge boost to its attack against Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Cortois, the No. 1 keeper of Real Madrid.
U.S. Soccer, the governing body of the American national team, issued a statement that said, “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.”
As much as I’m thrilled Balogun can play for the #usmnt against Belgium I hate this decision. Whether corruption or just incompetence (with FIFA that’s a coin flip), the entire thing has been handled so poorly and now gives the world an excuse to dismiss anything they accomplish.
— The Pitchside Pub (@PitchsidePub) July 5, 2026
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