Just days after appearing destined to miss the biggest match of the United States Men's National Team's World Cup campaign, Folarin Balogun is back — and the story behind his reinstatement has become almost as dramatic as the match he's now set to play in.
July 6th 2026
The Red Card
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the United States' final group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after stepping on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović's ankle. The referee initially allowed play to continue, but after a VAR review, the punishment was upgraded to a straight red for serious foul play.
The United States finished the match with 10 men but still won 2-0 to advance. Under FIFA's standard rules, a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension with no right of appeal.
FIFA Changes Course — With a Notable Assist
FIFA reversed course by invoking Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for the suspension of disciplinary measures. In a statement, FIFA said the match suspension would instead be held in abeyance for a one-year probationary period; if Balogun commits a similar offense during that window, the original suspension would be reinstated on top of any new punishment.
President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review Balogun's suspension before the governing body reversed it, and Trump publicly celebrated the outcome on social media, thanking FIFA for what he called correcting an injustice. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani helped mobilize lawyers and coordinate with FIFA officials on Balogun's behalf. FIFA awarded Trump its inaugural peace prize last year, and Trump's 2025 financial disclosure revealed Infantino had given him World Cup and Club World Cup tickets worth thousands of dollars.
Why the Decision Is So Controversial
Automatic red-card suspensions have long been treated as one of FIFA's most rigid, non-negotiable rules — precisely because they're designed to be immune to lobbying or second-guessing. The Belgian federation said it was "astonished" by the ruling and has been granted the right to appeal.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia didn't hide his disbelief, joking that he'd assumed the announcement was an April Fools' prank landing several months late. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the timing left the team with less time to mentally prepare. Weston McKennie called the decision "a bit bogus," while rules analyst Christina Unkel, a former FIFA referee, said the original foul likely shouldn't have gone to VAR review at all since it wasn't a clear-and-obvious case. Reporting suggests it may be only the second time FIFA has lifted a World Cup red-card suspension — the first being Brazilian legend Garrincha, who was cleared to play in the 1962 final after being sent off in the semifinal.
A Massive Boost for the United States
Balogun's return is a massive boost for the United States. Balogun has been the focal point of the U.S. attack all tournament, scoring three goals and consistently stretching opposing back lines with his pace and movement. His partnership with Christian Pulisic has become one of the team's defining strengths. Without the reversal, Ricardo Pepi — left off the U.S. squad for the 2022 World Cup — would have stepped into the starting role, a chance some framed as the opportunity of his career.
Pochettino has argued that the U.S. had already paid a price for the red card, having played more than half an hour a man down against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and FIFA's ruling means the U.S. will have one of its most dangerous attackers available against Belgium.
Bigger Than One Match
More than just a lineup change, Balogun's reinstatement has become one of the defining storylines of the tournament. Supporters see FIFA correcting an overly harsh officiating call; critics see a governing body bending its own rules under outside pressure, with Belgium's looming appeal ensuring the controversy won't be settled soon.
Belgium's appeal now ensures the controversy may continue even after the match is played.
By Nicolas Dorigatti
Nicolas Dorigatti is a sports business journalist covering the intersection of sports, politics, and global events for Sportsmedia News.