The Brief FIFA has cleared Folarin Balogun to play for the USMNT against Belgium Balogun was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina but avoided any further suspension. The U.S. striker has scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup.



Folarin Balogun's one-game ban was suspended by FIFA on Sunday, allowing the forward to play in the United States' World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.

The backstory:

Balogun was shown a straight red card in Wednesday's victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina after stepping on the right ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic.


What they're saying:

Speaking before training at Husky Soccer Stadium, the U.S. striker said he believed the challenge warranted a yellow card rather than a dismissal.

 There's nowhere else to put your leg. It's going to be unavoidable,  Balogun said.  I've seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It's something that's happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it. 


Dig deeper:

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension. Because FIFA did not impose any additional disciplinary action, Balogun will be eligible to return for the quarterfinals if the United States advances past Belgium.

Despite the suspension, Balogun has been one of the tournament's standout performers. He has scored three goals, including the opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, matching Landon Donovan's three-goal total from the 2010 World Cup for the second-most goals by an American in a single tournament. Only Bert Patenaude, who scored four goals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, has scored more for the United States in one tournament.

Balogun celebrated his goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina with LeBron James' signature  Silencer  gesture, a celebration the NBA's all-time leading scorer later acknowledged on social media. The Arsenal-born forward also became the first

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