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USMNT receives massive Balogun update ahead of R16 match
Folarin Balogun of the U.S. Phil Noble-Reuters via Imagn Images

USMNT receives massive Folarin Balogun update ahead of Round of 16 match against Belgium at FIFA World Cup

By Clark Dalton  |  Last updated Jul 5, 2026 2:15 PM ET
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The United States Men's National Team can keep celebrating even after wrapping up Independence Day. 

The Athletic's Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton reported Sunday that American forward Folarin Balogun will be available to play in a Round-of-16 FIFA World Cup match against Belgium on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle (Fox/Telemundo, 8 p.m. ET). He had been suspended for one game after receiving a red card in the 64th minute during the Round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He accidentally stepped on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic, and VAR (video assistant review) determined the play merited such punishment.

"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said, per Yardbarker's Alyssa Clang. "Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."

Why FIFA changed its mind 

Per FIFA rules, the USMNT couldn't appeal the call. That said, the governing body can lift a suspension if it feels it's necessary. 

"Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code states that 'the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure,'" wrote Crafton and Sheldon. 

Citing the rulebook, Crafton and Sheldon added: "If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo avoided a three-game suspension for the World Cup in a similar situation. Thanks to his clean disciplinary record, FIFA lifted the final two games under "a one-year probation period." He only sat out Portugal's World Cup qualifier against Armenia. 

FIFA didn't immediately comment on the lifting of the suspension. It's fair to wonder if the collective reaction of fans and media members contributed to the decision. Perhaps this is a way for FIFA to atone for an officiating mistake. Former referee/ESPN contributor Andy Davies said the crew made the wrong call.

"Balogun can feel unfortunate to be red carded in this situation, as in my opinion, this was not a red card offense," wrote Davies. "With both players challenging for the ball, the contact form Balogun on Muharemovic, while it looked bad in slow motion, was purely accidental and an unfortunate result from two players challenging for possession of the ball in a normal football environment."

Regardless, the United States should be ecstatic that Balogun — who leads the team in goals (three) at the World Cup — is back in the lineup. It now has a much better chance of beating Belgium and advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.  

Clark Dalton
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Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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