SEATTLE – FIFA has temporarily suspended the one-match ban on United States forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the USA’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium after a review of the disciplinary decision.
Balogun was shown a red card during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and received an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has deferred the implementation of the ban for one year, making the striker eligible for the July 7 knockout fixture.
According to reports, U.S. President Donald Trump had urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red-card decision. Following the announcement, Trump welcomed FIFA’s ruling and thanked the world football governing body for reconsidering the suspension.
The decision has drawn criticism from the Belgian Football Association, which expressed surprise over the move and said it was considering legal options. Belgian officials argued that the ruling was inconsistent with FIFA’s disciplinary regulations and raised concerns about the governing body’s neutrality.
Balogun’s availability comes as a significant boost for the United States ahead of its crucial Round of 16 encounter with Belgium. The decision has also sparked debate within the football community, with questions being raised over the independence and consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary process.
