How Folarin Balogun is allowed to play for USA vs. Belgium after shocking FIFA red-card reverse decision
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How Folarin Balogun is allowed to play for USA vs. Belgium after shocking FIFA red-card reverse decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Out of nowhere, the United States men's national team got the news that seemed like it wouldn't be coming.
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Folarin Balogun can play in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Belgium on Monday night in Seattle. His one-match red-card ban has been suspended, according to The Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
It's a shocking twist.
Balogun was sent off during the Round of 32 for a foul that wasn't even given a card on the field but was overturned on VAR to be a red card.
The red card results in an ejection from that current game, as well as a one-match suspension on top of that.
Balogun's challenge on a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender resulted in an awkward ankle turn, although it was clear the USMNT striker had no intention of making such a physical play.
This is how The Athletic's Adam Crafton explained the confusion about this new ruling, which he broke in an article about 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday:
Multiple FIFA officials told The Athletic after the game that a team is not able to appeal against a red card or the subsequent suspension.
However, Balogun is set to be available to face Rudi Garcia’s side as his suspension has been suspended.
Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
Crafton also notes that Cristiano Ronaldo came into the World Cup facing two more games of suspension from a red card earned with Portugal prior to the tournament, but that FIFA suspended that two-match ban for "a one-year probation period."
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How is Folarin Balogun allowed to play?
Clearly, the governing body has decided that something wasn't quite right about Balogun's punishment and has stepped in.
The Athletic didn't yet have any statement from U.S. Soccer or FIFA.
It's not clear whether FIFA can literally rescind the red card, resulting in a total removal of Balogun's one-match suspension, or if he'll have to serve that at some point.
For now, it's massive news for USA, which gets its difference-making striker on the pitch.
It's hard to know to what extent Balogun has been involved in the game plan for Belgium, since he wasn't expected to be available. Ricardo Pepi was likely to start up top.
Now, the U.S. can count on Balogun after a decision that no one saw coming.