USA leading scorer Folarin Balogun will now play tomorrow’s 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium in Seattle after FIFA set aside his one-match suspension.
Balogun was sent off against Bosnia in a Round of 32 tie.
The latest development is a result of FIFA’s implementation of article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in which FIFA’s judicial bodies utilized their authority to suspend the disciplinary sanction handed down to Balogun following his sending-off in the USA last match.
FIFA issued the following statement: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanction on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina played on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium:
One-match suspension for breaches of articles 14 and 66 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC),
In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. 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.”
U.S. Soccer issued the following statement in response: “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
