FIFA has suspended the automatic one-match ban handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun, making him available for Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter against Belgium in Seattle.
The decision was made under Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, allowing the suspension to be deferred for a probationary period of one year. This means Balogun will remain eligible to play unless he commits a similar disciplinary offence within the next 12 months.
The ruling sparked reactions across the football community, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, who welcomed FIFA’s decision in a post on his Truth Social account. Trump described the move as a reversal of what he called “a great injustice” and thanked FIFA for its action.
FIFA had previously applied the same disciplinary provision during the tournament when Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo received a deferred suspension under similar circumstances.
Balogun was initially sent off during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after a VAR review concluded that he accidentally stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The reversal comes as a major boost for the United States, with Balogun expected to play a key role against Belgium. The striker has been one of the team’s standout performers at the tournament, scoring three goals during the group stage.
