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FIFA Suspends Balogun’s One-Match Ban for One Year
FIFA announced Sunday that Folarin Balogun's suspension is suspended for a probationary year. The United States forward is now eligible for Monday's round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
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FIFA announced Sunday that Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension for a red card is suspended for a probationary period of one year under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The United States forward received the red card during a round-of-32 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina and leads the team with three goals at the 2026 World Cup.
The United States plays Belgium in a round-of-16 match on Monday in Seattle.
The announcement appeared on FIFA's official website but was not posted on its X or Instagram accounts. Four days earlier FIFA had stated there was no appeals process and that Balogun would serve the suspension. The same provision was applied to Cristiano Ronaldo's three-match suspension in November, reducing it to one game with two suspended for 12 months after a red card in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it is astonished by the decision and is investigating all potential options, including legal recourse. President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to ask for a review of the incident. Trump posted on Truth Social that FIFA had reversed a great injustice.
Former Premier League referee Andy Davies said real-time footage should have been considered by the referee during the VAR review. Since the introduction of yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup, no player has ever received a red card and played in his team's next match.
