U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is set to take the field when the United States squares off against Belgium in a World Cup Round of 16 contest, after FIFA made an unexpected move to reinstate him despite a red card he picked up in a previous match.
A FIFA disciplinary committee stepped in to suspend Balogun’s one-game ban, clearing the way for him to start in the high-stakes knockout round game. The red card had been issued during the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
The ruling came in the wake of attention surrounding a conversation between former President Trump and FIFA President Infantino regarding the red card call, adding an unusual backdrop to the already closely watched eligibility decision.
