Folarin Balogun eligible to play for USMNT against Belgium
CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 5, 2026, 6:18 PM
Last updated Jul 5, 2026
Folarin Balogun will play for the U.S. men's national team in their round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. FIFA overturned his one-game suspension due to a previous red card issued in a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. Soccer expressed satisfaction with FIFA's decision and emphasized its focus on the upcoming match. Balogun's return is significant for the team, aiming for advancement to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
- •Folarin Balogun reinstated after FIFA overturns suspension
- •USMNT faces Belgium in round of 16 match
- •Match set for July 6 at Lumen Field in Seattle
- •Balogun's suspension followed a red card incident
- •U.S. Soccer pleased with FIFA's decision
- 12:49 PMCBS Sports — Can USMNT's Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension be reinstated? Belgium will reportedly appeal decision
- 7:25 PMYahoo Sports — 'Just feels right': USMNT players react to Folarin Balogun being allowed to play
- 7:03 PMCBS Sports — USMNT react as Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension lifted: 'I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first'
- 6:34 PMYahoo Sports — How fans reacted to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's rescinded World Cup suspension
- 6:18 PMYahoo Sports — USMNT's Folarin Balogun reacts to World Cup reinstatement on Instagram
- 6:14 PMYahoo Sports — US Soccer 'accepts' FIFA decision to wipe away Folarin Balogun's suspension
"Balogun was originally due to serve a one game ban for Monday's round of 16 game against Belgium after he picked up a red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
"USMNT players were thrilled to learn FIFA Disciplinary Committee lifted its one-game suspension on Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play vs. Belgium.
"USMNT's Folarin Balogun hasn't commented publicly on FIFA overturning his suspension for Monday's match vs. Belgium, but he did post on social media.
Sources
External links- CBS SportsJul 6, 2026, 12:49 PMCan USMNT's Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension be reinstated? Belgium will reportedly appeal decision
The Belgian FA was granted the right to appeal hours ahead of kickoff, per a report
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 7:25 PM'Just feels right': USMNT players react to Folarin Balogun being allowed to play
USMNT players were thrilled to learn FIFA Disciplinary Committee lifted its one-game suspension on Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play vs. Belgium.
- CBS SportsJul 5, 2026, 7:03 PMUSMNT react as Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension lifted: 'I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first'
Balogun was originally due to serve a one game ban for Monday's round of 16 game against Belgium after he picked up a red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 6:34 PMHow fans reacted to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's rescinded World Cup suspension
The USMNT got a major boost with Folarin Balogun's suspension being reversed.
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 6:18 PMUSMNT's Folarin Balogun reacts to World Cup reinstatement on Instagram
USMNT's Folarin Balogun hasn't commented publicly on FIFA overturning his suspension for Monday's match vs. Belgium, but he did post on social media.
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 6:14 PMUS Soccer 'accepts' FIFA decision to wipe away Folarin Balogun's suspension
U.S. Soccer welcomed FIFA's decision on star player Folarin Balogun and shifted its focus to a World Cup round-of-16 showdown with Belgium.
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