U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the team’s round of 16 match against Belgium. Balogun, 25, was given a red card for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the U.S. round of 32 game. The U.S. went on to win the game 2-0, despite being down a player for the last 30 minutes.
Because he was issued a red card, Balogun was suspended from the upcoming game. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued an update on Sunday about Balogun’s status and said that he would be allowed to play.
“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year,” the committee said in a press release. “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.”
Balogun has scored three goals for the U.S. during the 2026 World Cup, including one against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The host U.S. faces Belgium Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Seattle Stadium. The team is seeking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
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