FIFA Lifts Red Card Ban for Folarin Balogun Ahead of Belgium Clash

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - U.S. Soccer stated, "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow."

AP News - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented, "If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all."

The New York Times - U.S. President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for allowing Balogun to play, stating, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

AP News - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the red card decision, stating, "If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all."

The New York Times - U.S. President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for allowing Balogun to play, stating, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

The New York Times - U.S. Soccer was informed of FIFA's decision on Sunday morning during a team meeting.

Yahoo Sports - Balogun was informed of the decision during a team meeting before the team left for training on Sunday.

Daily Mail Sports - FIFA's disciplinary committee announced the suspension of Balogun's red card.

The Guardian - U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed they were engaged in the process that led to Balogun's eligibility.

AP News - U.S. Soccer Federation learned of FIFA's decision at 10:31 a.m. EDT on July 5, 2026.

CNN - 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."

USA Today - U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Yahoo Sports - U.S. Soccer stated, "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow."

AP News - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the red card decision, stating, "If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all."

USA Today - U.S. President Donald Trump, who is a recipient of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, thanked FIFA for reversing Balogun's suspension.

AP News - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the red card decision, stating, "They got screwed with that red card."

USA Today - U.S. President Donald Trump, who thanked FIFA for reversing Balogun's suspension, stated, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

Sportskeeda - Folarin Balogun, U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) striker

USA Today - President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino

AP News - Tarik Muharemović, defender for Bosnia and Herzegovina

CNN - Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the USMNT

WHAT:

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals in four matches during the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

AP News - Balogun received the red card on July 1, 2026.

USA Today - The U.S. men's national team will play Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.

AP News - Balogun has scored three goals in four matches during the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

CBS Sports - Balogun is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.

USA Today - The USMNT won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals and three assists in the tournament, leading the U.S. team.

AP News - Balogun has scored three goals in four matches during the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

CBS Sports - Balogun is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals in four matches during the tournament.

AP News - Balogun's red card was assessed for stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals in the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

NBC News - Balogun's red card was assessed for stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CBS Sports - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee stated, "If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

NBC News - Balogun has scored three goals and provided three assists in the tournament.

CBS Sports - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced that Balogun's one-match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

NBC News - Balogun has scored three goals in the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

Sportskeeda - FIFA has suspended the one-game red card suspension of Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals in the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

AP News - Balogun's red card was assessed for stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yahoo Sports - Balogun's availability for the match against Belgium was confirmed during a team meeting before training on Sunday.

CBS Sports - Balogun is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.

USA Today - The USMNT won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals and three assists in the tournament, leading the U.S. team.

AP News - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee confirmed that Balogun's suspension is on hold for a probationary period of one year.

Yahoo Sports - Balogun's availability for the match against Belgium was confirmed during a team meeting before training on Sunday.

AP News - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced that Balogun's one-match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

CBS Sports - Balogun has scored three goals in the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

USA Today - Balogun's red card was assessed for stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yahoo Sports - Balogun's availability for the match against Belgium was confirmed during a team meeting before training on Sunday.

AP News - Balogun has scored three goals and three assists in the tournament, leading the U.S. team.

CBS Sports - Balogun is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.

AP News - FIFA suspended Balogun's one-game ban, allowing him to play against Belgium.

Yahoo Sports - Balogun received a red card for stepping on Muharemović's ankle during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CBS Sports - Balogun scored three goals in the tournament, making him the leading scorer for the USMNT.

USA Today - The USMNT won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

WHERE:

USA Today - The match against Belgium is scheduled to take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, at 8 p.m. ET.

NBC News - The match against Belgium will take place at Seattle Stadium.

USA Today - The match against Belgium is scheduled to take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

CNN - The match against Belgium will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle.

AP News - The incident involving Balogun occurred during a match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

WHEN:

USA Today - The U.S. men's national team will play Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.

USA Today - The match against Belgium is scheduled for Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.

AP News - Balogun received the red card on July 1, 2026.

WHY:

CBS Sports - FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

Sportskeeda - FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

ESPN - FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend Balogun's ban for a probationary period of one year.

CBS Sports - FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend Balogun's ban for a probationary period of one year.

Yahoo Sports - The decision to suspend the ban was made to allow Balogun to participate in the crucial match against Belgium.

HOW:

CNN - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee confirmed that Balogun's suspension is on hold for a probationary period of one year, meaning he can play unless he commits another similar infringement during this time.

AP News - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee confirmed that Balogun's suspension is on hold for a probationary period of one year, meaning he can play unless he commits another similar infringement during this time.

ESPN - FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend Balogun's one-match ban for a probationary period of one year.

CNN - FIFA's decision to suspend the implementation of the match suspension was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - The suspension will be revoked if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period.

CNN - FIFA's decision to suspend the implementation of the match suspension was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - The suspension will be revoked if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period.

CNN - FIFA's decision to suspend the implementation of the match suspension was based on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows for a probationary period for disciplinary measures.

CBS Sports - The suspension will be revoked if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period.

CNN - FIFA's Disciplinary Committee decided to suspend the implementation of the match suspension under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

CBS Sports - The suspension will be revoked if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period.

U.S. Soccer has announced that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete in the upcoming match against Belgium, following a decision by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee to suspend his ban for a probationary period of one year. Balogun, who has scored three goals in four matches during the tournament, will be looking to add to his tally when the U.S. men's national team takes the field at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the situation, stating that the foul leading to Balogun's red card on July 1, 2026, showed "zero intent at all."