SANTA CLARA — Referee Rafael Claus shows Folarin Balogun a red card during the USMNT’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The suspension has since been rescinded, and Balogun is set to start Monday against Belgium. Seattle, WA. Credit: @brfootball
Folarin Balogun is available for the USMNT’s Round of 16 match against Belgium after all. FIFA announced it is suspending the automatic one-match ban tied to the red card Balogun picked up in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, clearing the striker to start on Monday night in Seattle.
FIFA reverses course
In its ruling, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee cited Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing the suspension on a one year probationary period rather than enforcing it immediately. The decision effectively lifts the ban for Monday’s game while leaving the possibility of reinstatement on the table if Balogun picks up another red card within the year.
How we got here
Balogun opened the scoring in the 45th minute of the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, then was sent off in the 64th minute for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic that referee Rafael Claus deemed a red card offense. The dismissal briefly made him the first player since Zinedine Zidane in 2006 to score a goal and get a red card in the same World Cup knockout match. Balogun said afterward he felt the call was unfair given the contact came while the two were battling for position.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun challenges Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic before referee Raphael Claus shows Balogun a red card following a VAR review in the 64th minute. Credit: @brfootball
U.S. Soccer reacts
U.S. Soccer confirmed the news in a statement, saying the federation accepts the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and is pleased Balogun is eligible to play, adding that the team’s full focus is now on Monday’s match.
What it means for USMNT vs. Belgium
The ruling is a massive break for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Balogun entered the knockout rounds as the USMNT’s leading scorer with three goals through four matches, and his absence would have forced Pochettino to turn to Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright up top against a stacked Belgium side. Instead, the U.S. gets its top striker back for a match with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line, and a potential meeting with the winner of Spain-Portugal waiting on Saturday, July 11 in Los Angeles.
The USMNT and Belgium kick off Monday at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET in Seattle, with a trip to the quarterfinals, and the program’s first appearance at that stage since 2002, on the line.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun busts out the LeBron James “silencer” celebration after his 45th-minute goal put the USMNT ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium, July 1, 2026.