FIFA overturns Balogun's red card ahead of USMNT's World Cup clash with Belgium

Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States men's national team in their crucial Round of 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. World football's governing body has decided to rescind the red card the striker received in the previous group-stage game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA's official statement confirmed that, under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, the automatic match suspension for Balogun has been suspended on a probationary basis for one year. This means the forward will not miss the knockout tie. The decision comes as a massive relief for the USMNT ahead of the Belgium showdown. The Americans are not only fighting for a place in the quarterfinals but also chasing history — they haven't reached that stage since 2002. Balogun, the team's top scorer at this World Cup, brings back the attacking firepower needed to pull off that feat.