Updated: 6 Jul 2026 00:34 BST |
5 min read
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Folarin Balogun will make World Cup history when he takes to the field for the USA’s last-16 clash against Belgium.
The AS Monaco striker was sent off during USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, but in a remarkable, and highly controversial, turn of events, he will be available for selection when the USMNT take on Rudi Garcia’s side for a place in the quarter-finals.
Balogun was shown a straight red card, after a VAR review, following a reckless challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, however FIFA have suspended his one-game ban and Balogun won’t have to serve this until after the tournament.
It comes after US president Donald Trump and The White House made a “direct call” to FIFA in a bid to rescind the suspension, with fans accusing Infantino of corruption as a result.
Following confirmation that Balogun will be able to play against Belgium, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
Balogun is USA’s top goalscorer at the tournament so far, with three goals in three matches, and he will make World Cup history if he features against Belgium.
As per Opta, “since the introduction of yellow and red cards at the 1970 edition, no player has ever received a red card and gone on to play in his team’s next match at the FIFA World Cup.” Balogun will therefore become the first player to ever achieve this feat.
What have USA players said?
“If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all,” USA forward Christian Pulisic told reporters after it was confirmed that Balogun will be available for selection versus Belgium.
“And I felt like there were much worse ones that went on in this tournament. Again, I thought Balo handled it so well and I think the team handled it well. We weren’t here to complain or make some [scene]. You have to handle it in a good way and good things happen.
“I think people like that. And he was so positive and all for the team. I mean, it just feels right, I guess.”
Meanwhile, Chris Richards added: “I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first. But no, I think we were really excited because we found out through social media, so it was cool. Again, it was a lot of question marks, but just very, very happy and excited overall.”
Belgium FA statement
Following confirmation that Balogun will be available to play for the USA in their last-16 tie, the Belgium FA released a bombshell statement that read: “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).
“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.”
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