The United States men’s national team have received a major boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium, with striker Folarin Balogun cleared to feature after FIFA suspended his one-match ban.
Balogun had been set to miss Monday’s knockout fixture after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s final group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dismissal, which came following a challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, automatically carried a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.
Despite initially accepting the decision and with U.S. Soccer opting not to lodge an appeal, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later intervened and suspended the ban for one year, making the Monaco forward immediately eligible for selection against Belgium.
The decision is a timely boost for the Americans as they prepare for a high-stakes encounter in Seattle, with Balogun expected to play a key role in the team’s attacking setup.
Reacting to the development, U.S. Soccer welcomed FIFA’s ruling in an official statement.
“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 federation said.
Balogun’s availability significantly strengthens the U.S. squad as they aim to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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