Balogun’s Suspended Ban Clears Him for World Cup Match Against Belgium

Folarin Balogun’s suspension was unexpectedly lifted by FIFA, permitting the U.S. forward to participate in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. This decision, praised by President Donald Trump, came after Balogun received a red card during a 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, due to an awkward step on Tarik Muharemović’s foot.

A red card typically results in a one-game suspension. However, players learned about Balogun’s availability via social media during a bus ride to training at the University of Washington. Defender Chris Richards commented, “I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first. We weren’t sure if it was true or not.”

President Trump commended FIFA’s decision. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously engaged with Trump, even awarding the FIFA Peace Prize to him at the World Cup draw. Trump expressed gratitude via social media, stating, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

Balogun’s situation was among the most debated World Cup decisions. U.S. star Christian Pulisic remarked, “If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all.” Balogun’s red card was perceived as controversial. The U.S. Soccer Federation received notice of FIFA’s decision through its portal, announcing a one-year probationary suspension of the match suspension.

“The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA stated. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and enforced without prejudice to additional sanctions.”

Balogun has scored three goals in the World Cup, equaling Landon Donovan’s 2010 record for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, following Bert Patenaude’s four in 1930. The 25-year-old Monaco player scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 last season and has 12 goals in 30 international matches. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, Balogun changed his national team affiliation from England in 2023.

Richards noted, “He strikes fear into a lot of defenders.” The U.S. aims to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, having been eliminated in the round of 16 three times and failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The U.S. Soccer Federation will not make Balogun available for comments, but he shared a social media picture of himself in front of U.S. fans with Michael Jackson’s “Bad” playing. He previously stated that a yellow card would have been fair. FIFA invoked Article 27 of the disciplinary committee rules, which allows for suspension deferrals.

In precedent, FIFA deferred Cristiano Ronaldo’s remaining games of a three-match ban, enabling him to play initially in the World Cup. Argentine Nicolás Otamendi and Ecuadoran Moisés Caicedo received similar deferments, allowing them to play in World Cup openers.

Brazil’s Garrincha, ejected in the 1962 semifinal, played in the final against Chile following political influence. This historical context highlights the complexity of disciplinary decisions in the tournament.