SEATTLE — U.S. forward Folarin Balogun is in the starting lineup for Monday’s World Cup round of 16 showdown against Belgium after FIFA’s disciplinary committee wiped out his one-game suspension, a move that has sent shockwaves through the soccer world.
Balogun received a red card from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus during last Wednesday’s 2-0 American victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, after he was found to have stepped on an opponent’s ankle. That red card automatically triggered a one-game ban.
However, after U.S. President Donald Trump placed a phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s disciplinary committee chose to suspend the punishment for one year on Sunday. The decision also included a $40,000 fine against Balogun — a penalty that the U.S. Soccer Federation is permitted to cover.
The move drew fierce backlash from European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, which described the ruling as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” Belgium attempted to have FIFA reinstate the suspension, but FIFA’s appeals committee rejected that effort, ruling that the Belgian federation did not have legal standing to bring the challenge.
Infantino, for his part, stated that he played no role in the disciplinary committee’s decision. Meanwhile, Belgian supporters made their feelings known before kickoff, chanting “FIFA Mafia” during their march to Lumen Field.
The U.S. fielded an unchanged starting lineup from its previous match, while Belgium made several adjustments — leaving Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku on the bench to begin the game. The Belgians also left out Artur Teatre and Hans Vanaken, bringing in Dodi Lukébakio, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, and Nathan Ngoy instead.
Balogun has been the Americans’ top offensive threat at this tournament, leading the team with three goals. The U.S. has never won back-to-back knockout-round matches at a World Cup. Belgium previously eliminated the Americans in the round of 16 back in 2014.
The winner of Monday’s match will face Spain on Friday in Inglewood, California, with a semifinal spot against either France or Morocco on the line. The last time the U.S. reached the quarterfinals was in 2002, when Germany ended their run. The Americans’ furthest World Cup finish remains a semifinal appearance at the very first tournament in 1930.
