FIFA Suspends Balogun’s One-Match Ban

Folarin Balogun will be available to play for the United States men’s national soccer team after FIFA suspended the automatic one-match ban he received following his red card at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed that the automatic suspension would instead be suspended for a probationary period of one year, without providing a detailed explanation for the decision beyond citing disciplinary regulations that permit sanctions to be suspended.

The governing body said: “In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

The decision has drawn a strong reaction from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and is now examining all possible responses.

The Belgian federation argued that every previous red card issued during this World Cup had resulted in an automatic suspension and said FIFA’s latest decision was in “direct contradiction” of the tournament regulations, which it said had been “explicitly reaffirmed” to all participating nations in May.

In a statement, the RBFA added: “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision in a post on Truth Social, thanking the governing body for what he described as correcting an unfair outcome.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote.

United States captain Christian Pulisic revealed that the players learned of the decision while travelling to training on Sunday.

Pulisic said Balogun was “super happy” after hearing the news.

“Just a big smile on his face and all of ours,” Pulisic said. “The foul wasn’t what it was, it was harsh.”

FIFA’s decision means Balogun remains eligible for the United States’ next World Cup match, while the controversy surrounding the unprecedented suspension of an automatic red-card ban is likely to continue as Belgium considers its next steps.