2026 World Cup: USMNT striker Folarin Balogun available vs. Belgium after red

United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the team's match against Belgium on Monday night (5 p.m. ET, Fox).

Balogun was expected to be suspended for the match after receiving a red card in the United States' win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The striker was trying to make a play for the ball against defender Tarik Muharemović, but was called for a foul that was reviewed.

Upon review, which when slowed down showed Balogun clearly stepping on the defender's ankle, he was shown a red card and sent off early in the second half of the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The red card came automatically accompanied by a one-game suspension, per Article 10.5 of FIFA's World Cup rules. The Athletic also reported that after the match, multiple FIFA officials said teams were unable to appeal red cards or the resulting suspensions.

Just a few days later, Balogun's suspension was suspended. Article 27 of FIFA's code of discipline was cited as the reasoning.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

FIFA released a statement about the ruling. "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 New York Times reported Sunday that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked for the World Cup governing body to review Balogun’s ban. Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday thanking FIFA for overturning the decision. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

The decision appears to be only the second known instance of FIFA lifting a World Cup red-card suspension, and the first since Brazil's Garrincha was cleared to play in the 1962 final after being sent off in the semifinal.

U.S. Soccer also released a statement about FIFA's decision. "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."

The USSF was reportedly "engaged in the process with the disciplinary committee," and Balogun was informed of the decision during a team meeting before the team left for training on Sunday.

Belgium officials blasted the decision, saying they were “astonished” by the reversal.

“I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said at a Sunday news conference.

In a statement, The Royal Belgian Football Association called into question Article 66.4 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.

"FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

"However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

"Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:

"'If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.'

"The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

"The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo faced a similar situation before this World Cup. He received a red card in his team's qualifier against the Republic of Ireland and he was initially given a three-match ban for the incident. It was then shortened to the final Portugal qualifier and the same "one-year probationary period."