2026 World Cup: FIFA clears Balogun for USA vs Belgium clash

FIFA has cleared Folarin Balogun to play for the United States againt Belgium in their last-16 clash at the 2026 World Cup.

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The world football governing body has overturned the suspension that followed his controversial red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Balogun, who scored the first goal in the USA’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was sent off later in the match, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee reversed the suspension ahead of Monday’s knockout fixture in Seattle after determining that the implementation of the disciplinary measure should be suspended, as reported by Fox Sports.

FIFA said the ban will be suspended for a year.

“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the football body said in a statement.

The decision came despite the fact that the United States Soccer Federation had no formal avenue to appeal the red card under FIFA regulations. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was said to have called for the red card to be rescinded.