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FIFA gives the green light: Folarin Balogun can be used in the eighth final between the US and Belgium
Teams 5 July 2026

FIFA gives the green light: Folarin Balogun can be used in the eighth final between the US and Belgium

FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's suspension. The American striker may play against Belgium in the eighth finals of the 2026 World Cup in Seattle on Monday.

FIFA has released Folarin Balogun for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup between the United States and Belgium, which will be played in Seattle on Monday. Several sources confirm this.

Balogun, the US's top scorer at this tournament with three goals, received a controversial red card in the winning encounter in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That would automatically mean a one-game suspension. However, according to the protocols, the situation should not have been submitted by the video referee to the Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for a monitor screen review. On the field, Claus had not even punished the attacker with a yellow card.

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Although the American Football Association could not appeal against the red under the rules, the World Football Association decided to lift the suspension so that Balogun can be used in the next match. In a response, the association said: "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play tomorrow. Our full attention is on the round of 16 against Belgium in Seattle and we look forward to the continued support of our great fans."

The decision is in line with Chapter 4, Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Rules, which states that a judicial body may suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure in whole or in part. In addition, if the player involved commits a similar violation during the probationary period, the suspension will be revoked and the sanction will be enforced, regardless of any additional penalty for the new violation.


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