United States striker Folarin Balogun has been reinstated for the team\u2019s round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday after earning a red card in the previous round, FIFA announced Sunday.<\/p>\n
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Balogun was given a controversial red card during the United States\u2019 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina to start the knockout stage. The card came after replay review showed him inadvertently stepping on the back of the leg of Bosnia-Herzegovina\u2019s Tarik Muharemovi\u0107.<\/p>\n
A red card typically means a player is not only sent off in the match he\u2019s playing in, but also suspended for the following one. The FIFA disciplinary committee, an independent judicial body which reviews plays it deems warrant a closer look, reviewed Balogun\u2019s foul and decided to suspend the suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,\u201d FIFA said in a statement. \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
In a statement to NBC News, U.S. soccer said it was \u201cpleased\u201d that Balogun would be available for the team\u2019s next match.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete [Monday],\u201d the statement said. \u201cOur full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle,\u202fand we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balogun found out about the decision in a team meeting Sunday, a source familiar with the situation told NBC News.<\/p>\n
President Trump took to social media to share his thoughts on the news. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!\u201d he said<\/a>. <\/p>\n The FIFA disciplinary committee has made similar rulings in the past, as recently as 2025, when a Cristiano Ronaldo three-game ban was shortened to a one-game suspension<\/a> plus probation.<\/p>\n The initial decision to hand Balogun a red card was swiftly met with criticism from the U.S.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, never is it a red card,\u201d head coach Maurice Pochettino said following the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina. <\/p>\n He added: \u201cIf the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?\u201d<\/p>\n The U.S. was also not able to appeal the decision, leaving Balogun\u2019s fate in the hands of the disciplinary committee.<\/p>\n \u201cI think in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it\u2019s a bit bogus,\u201d U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie said of the situation. <\/p>\n Christina Unkel, a referee and rules analyst who once worked as a FIFA referee, told<\/a> NBC News earlier this month the foul should have not been reviewed in the first place because it was not clear and obvious.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a bit of a surprise that VAR actually made a recommendation down for what one would argue is more of a subjective play, that there is debate on both sides,\u201d Unkel said. <\/p>\n Balogun, 25, has been a breakout star for the United States during the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, Balogun was only in the U.S. because his parents were visiting New York and his mother was deemed too pregnant to fly back to London.<\/p>\n After playing for England during his youth career, Balogun ultimately decided to play for the U.S.<\/a> when he had to pick a country for the senior level.<\/p>\n Balogun has credited U.S. fans for his strong start to the tournament, which included two goals in the team\u2019s opening match against Paraguay.<\/p>\n