Folarin Balogun was suspended by FIFA for one match

Folarin Balogun will have the opportunity to play in the US team's round of 16 match at the 2026 World Cup against Belgium when FIFA decided to suspend his one-match ban. The 25-year-old striker received a straight red card in the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina for fouling defender Tarik Muharemovic, when the co-host team won 2-0 in the round of 32. FIFA said the one-match penalty will be suspended for one year.

The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has expressed "surprise" at FIFA's decision and is "investigating all potential options" in response. According to FIFA's statement, "In accordance with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary regulations, the implementation of the match penalty is suspended for a one-year probationary period." If Balogun commits a similar violation again during the probationary period, the sentence will be enforced and shall not preclude any additional sentence that may be imposed for the new violation.

US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to FIFA for "overturning a great injustice" on Truth Social. He wrote: "Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Attacker Christian Pulisic said the team learned about the one-match suspension during the bus ride to training and Balogun was "extremely happy". Pulisic added: "Just a big smile on his face and on all of ours. Mistakes don't deserve to be handled like that, it's really too harsh."

The RBFA pointed out that all red cards issued during this World Cup resulted in automatic penalties and that FIFA's decision was in "direct conflict" with the tournament's regulations, which participating countries were reaffirmed by FIFA in May. They said: "To protect the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair sportsmanship in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and in future editions, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."


US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is one of those who requested a review of this decision. When asked about the US team's performance at the World Cup during a press conference, Rubio said: "It was great. They were unfairly punished with that red card. There should be an appeal process for that. Maybe it's too late for that."

Many fans in the US have also expressed their displeasure over the red card given to one of their star players. Many media questioned the decision and the way in which football applied the rules - it was necessary to leave the field after a red card and then banned from the next match.

Balogun became a key player for the US team at the World Cup, scoring twice in their 4-1 win over Paraguay. The former Arsenal striker also opened the scoring in the match against Bosnia before being sent off in the 64th minute after a collision with Muharemovic in a high ball situation. As Balogun tried to defend the ball, Muharemovic contested and while the striker's foot returned to the ground, it touched the Bosnian defender's ankle, causing his leg to twist.

Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed a red card after being assigned to review the situation via video assistant referee (VAR). According to FIFA regulations, a red card "automatically results in a penalty for the next match", but the body can "impose further match penalties and other disciplinary measures". During the group stage of the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his one-match ban increased to five matches for a foul on Canada's Ismael Kone, causing the player to break his leg.

However, there are also recent cases where FIFA has suspended penalties at the World Cup. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to play in his team's opening match of the tournament despite receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying. Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow foul on Dara O'Shea in Portugal's 2-0 defeat in November and initially received a three-match ban. However, after sitting out a match against Armenia, FIFA suspended the remainder of his punishment for one year on 25 November, allowing Ronaldo to participate in Portugal's opening two matches at the World Cup.

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