Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs Belgium after FIFA suspends red-card ban

USMNT star Folarin Balogun admitted that the controversy around his red card suspension being reversed affected his team mentally in its loss to Belgium.

USA striker Folarin Balogun was set to be banned for their World Cup round-of-16 clash with Belgium, only for FIFA to controversially suspend his red card, allowing him to play

Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium despite being sent off in USA’s previous match

FIFA revoking Folarin Balogun’s red card before the USA’s round of 16 game against Belgium was arguably the most controversial moment of this World Cup. Rival coaches and managers, as well as fans, were left stunned by the decision.

The pardon of Folarin Balogun’s expulsion ahead of the United States vs. Belgium Round of 16 match was one of the episodes that caused the biggest impact during the 2016 World Cup. And today, more i...

New Delhi: USA striker Folarin Balogun issued an apology to fans after his team's humiliating FIFA World Cup exit, saying the team was not at its best when it mattered the most.Viral Video Shows Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Spitting After Argentina Fans Wave Israel Flag Balogun into the international spotlight when set to serve a one-match suspension after receiving a red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the Round of 32 victory before US president Donald Trump's intervention helped get his ban overturned so he was able to play against Belgium.My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you downSoccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the… pic.twitter.com/Wgk4bnpunV— Balogun (@balogun) July 8, 2026 His presence on the field was not enough to secure a win in Seattle as Belgium shattered co-hosts' dream in the last 16 with a 4-1 victory."My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans; it was not good enough when it mattered most, and we let you down. Soccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the passion are continually growing, and I know the best days are in front of us. The future belongs to those who never stop believing; this moment will fuel us. We will be back," Balogun shared in his Instagram post. Belgium head coach, Rudi Garcia, on his conversation with Folarin Balogun after the match:"He came to talk to me. I really liked that. It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame -- that's what I told him. I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I… pic.twitter.com/F933UA7USE— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) July 7, 2026 The FIFA Disciplinary Committee's ruling of overtuning Balogun's ban sparked fury around the world. The Belgian Football Association had issued statements expressing "astonishment" at the decision. European football governing body UEFA also condemned the ruling, saying it had "crossed a red line" and could have negative consequences for the game as a whole.Responding to the criticism, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino reiterated the independence of FIFA's judicial bodies. "I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA's governance.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)