Balogun Available for US in Last-16 Clash Against Belgium
US striker Folarin Balogun, who was shown a red card in the last-32 match, will be available to play in the upcoming last-16 game against Belgium after FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended his one-game ban. This decision was announced on Sunday and has been met with mixed reactions.
FIFA Disciplinary Committee Cites Article 27
The FIFA disciplinary committee based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which permits the suspension of red cards provided the offense is not related to match-fixing. Balogun will be placed on a one-year probationary period, meaning the red card remains on his record. Should he commit a similar offense within that year, the one-game suspension will be enforced.
FIFA previously applied Article 27 to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to participate in Portugal's opening World Cup games after his red card against the Republic of Ireland.
Belgian Football Association Reacts
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed surprise at the decision. In an official statement, the RBFA said it was "astonished" and highlighted that the suspension contradicts FIFA statutes, which automatically impose a one-game ban for red cards. The RBFA is currently exploring all possible options in response.
President Trump Thanks FIFA
Following the announcement, US President Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for reversing the ban. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
"Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"
US Soccer and Players Respond
A US Soccer spokesperson confirmed the federation's involvement in the process that led to Balogun's clearance for the Belgium match. The US players learned of Balogun's availability while en route to training on Sunday.
Defender Chris Richards described the moment:
"Some guys are playing Clash Royale, some guys were just in the back listening music, and then think somewhere in between that, we heard all the reports. My family probably sent me eight tweets. I wasn’t sure, nobody told us ahead of time that this was happening. We weren’t quite sure if it was true or not. I think everyone knows with AI and with this and that, there can be a few question marks, but ultimately we found out through social media. It was just cool to finally get the confirmation that it was true."
Richards added that approximately ten minutes passed between the initial reports and official confirmation from a US Soccer official as they arrived for training, the final session before the crucial Belgium game.
"He’s playing it Mr Cool right now," Richards said of Balogun’s reaction. "We look to Flo to kind of lead the front line, and he’s done it really well so far throughout the tournament, so think we’re really happy and excited that that’s been overturned … clearly they saw something in the decision that they thought deserved to be overturned."
Richards, along with Christian Pulisic and Alex Freeman, noted that Balogun’s suspension had slightly altered the team’s preparation but that they had been ready to compete without him.
US Soccer issued a statement:
"We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow."
Details of the Red Card Incident
Balogun was sent off for a collision with a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender during the last-32 game earlier this week. Initially, no foul was called, but the video assistant referee (VAR) recommended a review after observing that Balogun had stepped on the defender’s ankle. Upon review, the referee issued a straight red card for violent conduct.
The decision surprised commentators, US players, and coaching staff, who all maintained that the contact was unintentional.
"It just feels right," Pulisic said regarding the suspension of Balogun’s ban. "I felt like Balo handled it so well, and I think the team handled it well. We weren’t here to complain or make some more [out of it]. You have to handle it in a good way, and you know, good things happen to people like that."
At the time of the red card, FIFA and US Soccer officials stated that the accompanying one-game suspension could not be appealed.
Balogun Reflects on the Experience
On Friday, Balogun described the experience as "surreal" and was commended for his composed reaction to what many considered a harsh red card.
"I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion," Balogun said. "There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring, little kids, boys and girls who are watching, and we have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust."
