FIFA will allow Folarin Balogun to play for the USA in game against Belgium

July 5, 2026 - FIFA reverses itself and will allow Team USA striker Folarin Balogun to play in Monday's game against Belgium.

Balogun received a red card during Team USA's game with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee's controversial red card (the soccer equivalent of a flagrant foul) meant the Balogun was ejected from that game, the U.S. was forced to play with just ten players for the last 36 minutes of the game, and Balogun was suspended for the Belgium game. It is unusual for a referee to pull a red card without pulling a yellow warning card first.

Team USA officials and the White House strongly objected to the harsh penalty. A lawyer from the White House pointed out to FIFA that the rules allow them to rescind the decision. After a careful review of the tape, FIFA rescinded the penalty against Balogun, and he will be allowed to play. He still faces a year of probation. This is the first time in over 60 years that FIFA has reversed the automatic ban following a red card.

Belgium has been granted the right to appeal the decision, and FIFA will consider that appeal in the hours ahead of today's game between the United States and Belgium.

Team USA will play its Round of 16 match against Belgium at the World Cup at 7 p.m. CDT, The match airs on both FOX and Telemundo. It will also be streamed on Peacock and You Tube, There may be a tape delay on the streaming broadcasts. The game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA.

Team USA's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina was the USA's first win over a European team in World Cup play since 2002 and only the second knockout round win for the U.S. in history. The United States has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup seven times: 1930, 1934, 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2022. Until the USA's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina the USA's only knockout stage win in World Cup play was when the United States defeated Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16.

The tournament was expanded this year to include more teams in group play and the knockout round was expanded to 32 teams.

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