Folarin Balogun's ban lifted before Belgium clash in World Cup; Trump hails FIFA for ‘reversing a great injustice’

In a turnaround for the United States men’s national team, striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the World Cup 2026 match against Belgium. FIFA has suspended the one-game ban that followed his red card in the USMNT’s win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, giving the team a timely boost ahead of a key fixture.

The United States President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for the verdict and stated that the decision to send Balogun off was a “great injustice”. "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he wrote on Truth Social.

The red card incident against Bosnia-Herzegovina

Folarin Balogun received his marching orders during the second half of the United States’ victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was challenging defender Tarik Muharemovic for the ball when the referee initially awarded a foul. Video review, especially in slow motion, clearly showed Balogun stepping on the defender’s ankle.

The official then produced the red card, sending the striker off early and leaving the USMNT to play with ten men for the remainder of the game. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Americans secured the win.

Automatic one-match nan under FIFA World Cup rules

FIFA’s tournament regulations state that a red card carries an automatic one-game suspension under Article 10.5. Immediately after the match, several FIFA officials confirmed that teams could not appeal either the red card or the resulting ban. This left Balogun facing the strong possibility of missing the important clash with Belgium and forced the USMNT coaching staff to plan without one of their main attacking threats.

FIFA suspends the sanction under article 27

Just days later, the suspension has been lifted. The decision appears to rest on Article 27 of FIFA’s code of discipline, which gives the judicial body the power to suspend the enforcement of a disciplinary measure. The relevant section states:

“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

This provision provides FIFA with flexibility when applying punishments during the busy World Cup schedule.

Significant boost for USMNT preparations

Folarin Balogun’s availability is a major positive for the USMNT as they prepare to face Belgium. The striker offers pace, movement, and finishing quality in attack, and his return gives the coach more options when naming the starting lineup and substitutes.

With the disciplinary issue resolved, attention now returns to the upcoming contest. The USMNT will hope to build on their result against Bosnia-Herzegovina and use Balogun’s presence to create problems for a strong Belgian side.