Folarin Balogun red card lifted ahead of crucial USMNT Round of 16 match

The USMNT received a major gift from FIFA prior to their World Cup match against Belgium regarding Folarin Balogun’s availability.

American fans recently faced a bittersweet moment after the USA’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mauricio Pochettino and Co. advanced to the next round on home soil, but were given brutal news.

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Balogun, the USMNT’s star goalscorer, was ruled out for the Belgium meeting after picking up a second-half red card. However, The Athletic reveals that FIFA’s original decision is overturned in a stunning update.

BREAKING @TheAthleticFC

Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium with his one-game red-card ban suspended. Extraordinary development.

Story with @Dan_Sheldon_https://t.co/oQ61J9btzT

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) July 5, 2026

America captured a 2-0 win over Bosnia with goals coming from Balogun and Malik Tillman. However, Balogun’s absence in the second half showed a clear vulnerability for the U.S. up front.

The development comes as a major shock to World Cup fans after FIFA originally told The Athletic that teams are unable to protest red card decisions. However, the organization’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension is quite puzzling.

FIFA reveals shocking Balogun decision for USMNT

FIFA released a statement following Balogun’s original suspension that reads: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanction on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina played on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: One-match suspension for breaches of articles 14 and 66 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC).”

Regardless, the news is significant for Pochettino and the USA as they face a talented Belgium side in Seattle. The meeting comes on the heels of the two nations battling in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup.

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During the 2026 World Cup, Balogun leads the USMNT with three goals. Meanwhile, the Americans also brought two other strikers to the tournament with Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright making the squad.

Balogun trails only Bert Patenaude with the most goals by an American during a single World Cup. Patenaude’s mark came back in 1930 when the U.S. squad finished third place in an eight team field.

It’s certainly clear that America benefits from having Balogun on the pitch alongside Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and the rest of their talent squad.

However, many other countries are certainly questioning the decision from FIFA based on their previous comments. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo received similar treatment though before the World Cup when FIFA lifted his two-game suspension.

Ronaldo faced missing the opening two matches for Portugal during the group stage.