FIFA has suspended the one-match ban issued to U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun, making the team’s leading scorer available for Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The decision comes just days after Balogun was penalized with a straight red card during Wednesday’s 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina following a video assistant referee review of an accidental second-half collision with defender Tarik Muharemović. Under tournament rules, the dismissal carries an automatic one-match suspension that initially could not be appealed. However, FIFA said the suspension’s implementation has been deferred under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, placing Balogun on a one-year probationary period instead of requiring him to miss the knockout match. The governing body stated, “The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.” It added that if Balogun commits another offense of similar nature and severity during that period, the suspension will automatically be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary action.
The ruling represents a dramatic reversal after U.S. Soccer had been informed there was no formal avenue to appeal the automatic suspension. Balogun’s dismissal sparked widespread debate, with many observers, including U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, arguing the contact was accidental and did not warrant a red card. FIFA’s disciplinary committee ultimately exercised its authority to suspend the sanction despite leaving the red card itself on Balogun’s record.
Balogun has been one of the tournament’s standout performers for the Americans, scoring three goals to help propel the co-hosts into the knockout stage. His availability significantly strengthens a U.S. side seeking its first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002 after previous Round of 16 exits in 2010, 2014 and 2022. With their top striker back in the lineup, the Americans enter the Belgium showdown with renewed optimism as they continue their deepest World Cup run in more than two decades. The winner of Monday’s knockout match will move on to face either Spain or Portugal.
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