Folarin Balogun, the lead scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team, will be eligible to participate in the upcoming World Cup match against Belgium in Seattle, Washington, after FIFA’s disciplinary committee opted to lift a red card suspension issued on Wednesday. The decision, first reported by The Athletic and later confirmed by U.S. Soccer, restores the striker to the lineup for the crucial match, where the winner will advance to the tournament quarterfinals.
While the suspension was overturned, FIFA did not entirely revoke the red card. The governing body stated that Balogun will remain on probation for one year. If he commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during this probationary period, the suspension will be reinstated and the original sanction enforced. The initial red card was issued following a VAR review during the U.S. match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, where referees deemed a collision between Balogun and a Bosnian defender a “serious foul” after he appeared to rake his cleats down the opponent’s leg. Although the U.S. won that match, the resulting suspension initially barred Balogun from Monday’s game.
The reversal sparked significant reactions. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed astonishment at the decision, stating they are investigating all potential options to protect the principles of fair play. Conversely, President Donald Trump praised the move on social media, claiming FIFA did “what was right” by reversing what he described as “a great injustice.” Reports from the New York Times suggested that Mr. Trump had made a direct call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident.
USMNT teammates, including star player Christian Pulisic, expressed relief and excitement regarding the news. Pulisic noted that Balogun is “super happy” and the team is now focused on their mental preparation for Monday. Fellow players Alex Freeman and Chris Richards emphasized that Balogun’s presence provides both physical utility and a confidence boost for the squad. As documented in official records (Source: https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2026/07/03/e7ca5bca-fcd4-4034-a302-5ac7396d1e57/thumbnail/1200×630/d17f43f85cb7b4430f25f32e316929a7/gettyimages-2283794562.jpg), having scored three goals in the tournament so far, Balogun’s return is seen as vital as the U.S. looks to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
