sports
FIFA Suspends Red-Card Ban on U.S. Striker Folarin Balogun for Belgium Match
FIFA suspended the automatic one-game ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun. The move allows him to play in Monday's 2026 World Cup round of 16 against Belgium. President Donald Trump praised the decision on social media.
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FIFA suspended the automatic one-game ban that would have kept United States striker Folarin Balogun out of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. Balogun received a red card last week during the USMNT's round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The suspension clears him to play Monday night.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on July 5 that he thanked FIFA for reversing a great injustice. Trump received the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino in December 2025. Balogun has scored three goals and recorded three assists in three World Cup matches.
He has also received one yellow card and one red card in the tournament. A victory over Belgium would advance the USMNT to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
