Folarin Balogun is eligible and available to play in the USMNT’s Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The 25-year-old United States men’s national team striker received a red-card ban while competing against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, which leads to a one-game suspension according to FIFA rules.
However, the ban against the player on Monday (July 6) has been suspended, FIFA officials confirm to The Athletic.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement,” FIFA’s governing body said in a statement.
President Donald Trump even weighed in on the news.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote.
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,” per The Athletic.
A similar situation happened to Cristiano Ronaldo, who avoided a suspension after FIFA handed him a three-match ban, with the final two games suspended for “a one-year probation period.”
Folarin Balogun got at least one goal in every World Cup game played so far.
Find out which matches are taking place on Sunday (July 5).
Posted To:2026 Fifa World Cup Fifa World Cup Folarin Balogun Soccer Sports World Cup
