Pochettino praises FIFA's lifting of Balogun suspension ahead of knockouts
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 5, 2026, 10:41 PM
Last updated Jul 5, 2026
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino commended FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension, allowing him to participate in the round of 16. Balogun received a red card in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Pochettino argued was an excessive punishment for an unintentional foul. Pochettino stated that the suspension's reversal is a just response after the U.S. played 30 minutes with 10 men. Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia criticized the decision, stating it's unjust. Pochettino emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming match following this announcement.
- •Folarin Balogun scored three goals for the USMNT in the World Cup.
- •Pochettino believes the initial red card was unfair.
- •Belgium is exploring options regarding FIFA's ruling.
- •USMNT played down a man for over 30 minutes in the previous match.
- •Pochettino was unaware of President Trump's intervention with FIFA.
- 12:22 AMYahoo Sports — Mauricio Pochettino opens up on Folarin Balogun after controversial FIFA ruling
- 12:47 AMESPN Soccer — Poch: U.S. 'punished enough' for Balogun red card
- 12:04 AMYahoo Sports — Mauricio Pochettino backs FIFA’s Folarin Balogun reversal: ‘We were punished enough against Bosnia’
- 12:02 AMYahoo Sports — Mauricio Pochettino defends FIFA's Folarin Balogun decision, says USMNT was 'punished enough'
- 11:55 PMThe Guardian Sport — Mauricio Pochettino praises Fifa for Balogun U-turn: ‘We celebrate the decision’
- 11:55 PMYahoo Sports — Mauricio Pochettino praises Fifa for Balogun U-turn: ‘We celebrate the decision’
- 10:41 PMYahoo Sports — Pochettino calls FIFA decision to lift Balogun suspension `fair'
"Trump called Infantino to reverse Balogun ban US plays Belgium in World Cup last 16 on Monday Mauricio Pochettino hailed Fifa’s shock decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban on Sunday, reiterating his claim that the call to issue the US striker a red card was harsh. “Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said. “We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes [because of] a decision that was completely unfair. … 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.” Continue reading...
"Mauricio Pochettino hailed Fifa’s shock decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban on Sunday, reiterating his claim that the call to issue the US striker a red card was harsh. “Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said. The Guardian reported on Sunday that Donald Trump called Fifa at least three times since Wednesday to lobby for the overturning of Balogun’s one-game suspension, stemming from a straight red card the striker received against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their last-32 matchup.
"United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino had his first opportunity to respond to FIFA lifting Folarin Balogun’s one-game red card ban during a press conference on Sunday, and he’s ready to celebrate the decision, even if many others aren’t. The controversial red card occurred during the United States’ round-of-32 match against Bosnia…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 12:22 AMMauricio Pochettino opens up on Folarin Balogun after controversial FIFA ruling
U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has praised Folarin Balogun ahead of their World Cup Round of 16 game against Belgium, after FIFA suspended the striker's ban
- ESPN SoccerJul 6, 2026, 12:47 AMPoch: U.S. 'punished enough' for Balogun red card
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA's decision to lift the suspension on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, saying the USMNT was "punished enough" by having to play shorthanded against Bosnia-Herzegovina for 35 minutes.
- Yahoo SportsJul 6, 2026, 12:04 AMMauricio Pochettino backs FIFA’s Folarin Balogun reversal: ‘We were punished enough against Bosnia’
United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino had his first opportunity to respond to FIFA lifting Folarin Balogun’s one-game red card ban during a press conference on Sunday, and he’s ready to celebrate the decision, even if many others aren’t. The controversial red card occurred during the United States’ round-of-32 match against Bosnia…
- Yahoo SportsJul 6, 2026, 12:02 AMMauricio Pochettino defends FIFA's Folarin Balogun decision, says USMNT was 'punished enough'
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said his team had been “punished enough” after FIFA rescinded Folarin Balogun’s suspension.
- The Guardian SportJul 5, 2026, 11:55 PMMauricio Pochettino praises Fifa for Balogun U-turn: ‘We celebrate the decision’
Trump called Infantino to reverse Balogun ban US plays Belgium in World Cup last 16 on Monday Mauricio Pochettino hailed Fifa’s shock decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban on Sunday, reiterating his claim that the call to issue the US striker a red card was harsh. “Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said. “We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes [because of] a decision that was completely unfair. … 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.” Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 11:55 PMMauricio Pochettino praises Fifa for Balogun U-turn: ‘We celebrate the decision’
Mauricio Pochettino hailed Fifa’s shock decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban on Sunday, reiterating his claim that the call to issue the US striker a red card was harsh. “Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said. The Guardian reported on Sunday that Donald Trump called Fifa at least three times since Wednesday to lobby for the overturning of Balogun’s one-game suspension, stemming from a straight red card the striker received against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their last-32 matchup.
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 10:41 PMPochettino calls FIFA decision to lift Balogun suspension `fair'
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA's decision that will allow Folarin Balogun to play in the round of 16, calling it fair.
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