Folarin Balogun eligible to play for US v Belgium as Fifa rescinds red card suspension

[Ponietz]

Source: The Guardian

Folarin Balogun’s red card and one-game suspension received in the United States’ previous World Cup game has been rescinded and the striker will be available to play in Monday’s last-16 game against Belgium, Fifa announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the Fifa disciplinary committee said that they made the decision in line with Article 27 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, which allows them the authority to rescind things like red cards and other disciplinary measures. As a result, Balogun will be on a probationary period of one year. If, during that year, Balogun commits what the code refers to as “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity,” the rescinding of the suspension will be revoked and Balogun will then need to serve his one-game ban.

Fifa previously used Article 27 to clear Cristiano Ronaldo to start the opening games of Portugal’s World Cup after his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

“We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said in a statement. “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.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/05/folarin-balogun-red-card-suspension-lifted-usmnt-belgium-world-cup?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Ponietz]

1. Hats off to Balogun -- absolute class act

“I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion,” Balogun said. “There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring, little kids, boys and girls who are watching, and we have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust.”

[Prairie Gates]

2. One good results of Infantino's corrupt finger on the scale: no excuses

The whole team is available. Now you win or lose on your merits.

[underpants]

3. I very surprised by this but happy.

Oddly, Balogun is one of two birthright citizens on our team.


I see they did this before in 2025

Fifa previously used Article 27 to clear Cristiano Ronaldo to start the opening games of Portugal’s World Cup after his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

[Prairie Gates]

6. Ronaldo actually served a one game suspension - it was his three-game ban that was deferred

In any case, saying that this decision is like the other dubious and corrupt decision is some kind of flex, I guess.

[underpants]

9. Okay I didn't know it was 3 games.

I’d be surprised if Trump had anything to do with this. Soccer isn’t in MAGA’s radar in fact they tend to hate international competitions. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to take credit for it.

[Prairie Gates]

12. The New York Times is reporting that Trump called Infantino and asked him to intervene

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html

The corruption knows no bounds.

[underpants]

13. As you probably know, FIFA's corruption is only rivaled by the IOC

He did make a call. Of course his minions are falling down to praise Dear Leader. Trump has not claimed credit for it himself yet.

FIFA officially is saying the call was made by an independent board. The Belgians pointed out that this has never been done in the actual WC.

It was a foul but yellow at most and VAR is not supposed to issue cards. As an American fan I’m glad he can play. Great story. Seems like a class act guy.

[Prairie Gates]

14. Yes, FIFA is deeply corrupt

But let's believe what they say about an independent board, eh?

People can disagree on the card. I've been a certified referee for 15 years. I thought it was a red.

VAR didn't issue the card. The center ref did. Are you suggesting that VAR isn't empowered to alert the center ref to an incident that might result in a red card? That literally happens all the time.

In any case, my post was simply in response to yours. Trump clearly involved himself in Balogun's status. Whether that had any real effect remains to be seen, but it stinks to high heaven.

[dem4decades]

4. Congrats to FIFA for making the right call, similar plays

Didn't receive a red card

[3catwoman3]

7. Some similar encounters didn't get a call of any kind.

[dem4decades]

8. Once they went to the VAR i knew it was trouble.

The slo-mo and stopped frame looked horrible, it wasn't intentional but the card came out for the way it looked. Glad it was fixed, now I hope they play great.

[DFW]

10. I will be laying VERY low on July 7th

I have to be in Belgium all day for work that day. I will take full advantage of the fact that I can speak French, Flemish and some Tagalog, but the people I work with know very well where I come from. I will just have to be like John Banner's Sgt. Schultz and say I know nnnnosssink!.

[mcar]

11. Good call!

That red was pure BS. I wonder if they watched yesterday's France-Paraguay match and saw what Paraguay got away with and realized the obscene double standard.