FIFA Lifts Balogun’s Ban, Clearing Him to Face Belgium for USA

USA get Balogun back for Belgium clash

Balogun was sent off against Bosnia but FIFA has decided to suspend the ban, meaning he can play for the USA vs Belgium.

Balogun cleared to play for USA against Belgium after FIFA ruling...

Folarin Balogun is set to feature for the USA in their World Cup round-of-16 tie against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-match red card ban. The Athletic first reported the decision.

The 25-year-old was sent off with a straight red on Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s tournament rules, that would typically trigger an automatic one-game ban.

🚨 Folarin Balogun is eligible to play against Belgium.

FIFA sources had insisted US Soccer had no appeal. Sources say US Soccer did not attempt one as a result.

And Balogun had spoken on Monday here in Seattle about missing the game telling us, “I have to accept it…”

Yet… pic.twitter.com/wx7t8pnB00

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 5, 2026

It adds: “If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

The U.S. Soccer Federation had no grounds to appeal the red card under FIFA rules, but FIFA still opted to clear Balogun for the Americans’ next game.

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.”

More to follow...