U.S. soccer forward Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play in the United States Men's National Team's (USMNT) World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-game red card ban.
Balogun received the red card during the second half of the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week following a clash with an opposing player's foot. This led to his ejection and an automatic one-game suspension.
Initially, FIFA told ABC News that the referee's decision was final and could not be overturned or appealed. However, on Sunday, FIFA announced that "the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year."
FIFA added that if Balogun "commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed that Balogun was "disappointed" by the red card call but maintained that the clash was not intentional, according to ESPN. U.S. Soccer released a statement saying it accepted and was "pleased" with FIFA's disciplinary committee decision to suspend the ban.
The USMNT is now focused on their upcoming match against Belgium in Seattle and looks forward to the support of their fans.
Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
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