Balogun's one-game ban was lifted by FIFA, allowing the US striker to play against Belgium in the Round of 16
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Folarin Balogun's one-match ban was dramatically lifted by FIFA, clearing the way for the American striker to play in the World Cup Round of 16 group game against Belgium, a decision that was praised by US President Donald Trump and fueled the anger of the Red Devils.
Balogun, the USA's three-goal leader, received a red card for a foul on the right ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemović in Wednesday's 2-0 Round of 32 win.
The red card triggers an automatic one-game suspension but American players learned of Balogun's discovery when social media posts began to appear during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday from the hotel to practice at the University of Washington's Husky Soccer Stadium.
“I think most of us thought it was AI at first,” defenseman Chris Richards said. “We weren't sure if it was true or not.”
Trump praises the decision
Trump praised FIFA's decision. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made several attempts to get closer to Trump, even awarding him the FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said on social media.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “surprised.”
“This decision is in direct conflict with the provisions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Competition Regulations,” it said in a statement. “In order to protect the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, at this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all possible options.”
Balogun's red card and suspension from the Round of 16 was one of the most controversial decisions that resulted in the World Cup.
“If you look at the mistake, it was intentional,” said American star Christian Pulisic. “I felt that something very bad happened in this tournament.”
The US Soccer Federation learned of the decision in a message posted by FIFA on its portal at 10:31 am EDT.
“The implementation of the match suspension has been suspended for a one-year trial period,” announced FIFA. “If Folarin Balogun commits another violation of similar nature and gravity during the probation period, the suspension shall be revoked and the penalty imposed without prejudice to any additional penalty imposed for violation of the new law.”
Balogun's three goals included one that gave the US the lead against Bosnia. He tied with Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second most goals by an American in the World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in the inaugural tournament in 1930.
A 25-year-old player who plays for Monaco, Balogun scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 last season. He has 12 goals in 30 international games. He was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents who lived in London and in 2023 he chose to change his national team to England, where he was injured in the Under 21.
He instills fear in a lot of defenders,” said Richards.
The US last reached the quarterfinals in 2002
The host US is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The Americans lost in the Round of 16 to Ghana in 2010, Belgium in 2014 and the Netherlands in 2022. It failed to progress to the group stage in 2006 and did not qualify for the 2018 tournament.
The USSF said it would not make Balogun available for comment on Sunday, but Balogun posted on social media a photo of himself in front of American fans and covered with the music of Michael Jackson's “Bad”.
On Friday, Balogun said he thought a yellow card instead of a red “would have been fine.”
FIFA said its decision was based on Article 27 of the disciplinary committee rules.
“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of the disciplinary action. By suspending the implementation of the sentence, the judicial body places the person assigned a probationary period of one to four years,” said the law.
FIFA in November overturned the final two matches of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo's three-match ban for a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play in the World Cup opener.
Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo were handed one-match bans in April due to red cards in qualifying matches, allowing them to be available for the World Cup openers.
Brazil's Garrincha was sent off in the semi-finals in 1962 but was allowed to play in the final against Chile after political pressure.
