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Why was Folarin Balogun suspended? Updates after suspension reversed
Why was Folarin Balogun suspended? Updates after suspension reversed
Jon Hoefling, USA TODAYSun, Jul 5, 2026·3 min readU.S. soccer fans were biting their nails, wondering whether the absence of Folarin Balogun would spell disaster as the team prepped for their round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
Turns out, there was nothing to be worried about.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFIFA announced Sunday, July 5 that Balogun will be reinstated for the United States' game against Belgium despite being given a red card in the team's round of 32 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
But why was Balogun facing suspension in the first place? Here's everything to know as the U.S. preps for its game against Belgium Monday, July 6.
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(Mattia Ozbot, Getty Images)Derrick Luckassen #23 of Ghana reacts after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana at Kansas City Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(David Ramos, Getty Images)Vozinha #1 and Kevin Pina #6 of Cabo Verde react after the 2-3 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde, on July 3, 2026 in Miami.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kerim Alajbegovic looks dejected after the match as Bosnia and Herzegovina are eliminated from the World Cup.
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)Pathe Ciss #6 of Senegal is consoled by Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Seattle.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)Players of England celebrate the team's 2-1 victory while Fiston Mayele #19 of Congo DR shows dejection after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)Cedric Bakambu #17 of Congo DR reacts after the team's 1-2 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Megan Briggs, Getty Images)Sweden's defender Gustaf Lagerbielke reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026.
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(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)Germany's forward #07 Kai Havertz reacts after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)A Japan fan reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Why was Folarin Balogun facing suspension?
Balogun was given a red card in the United States' round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the U.S. won 2-0.
The red card came after Balogun was fighting for the ball against Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic early in the second half of the game. Balogun would end up stepping on Muharemovic's ankle, which wounded Muharemovic and prompted the red card.
A red card is normally only granted when something is determined as "serious foul play." Many fans and experts who watched the play happen believe that the red card was unjustified.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat does a red card usually entail?
Normally, a red card means that the offending player is ejected from the current game and their team is forced to play the remainder of the match one man down. However, it also means the offending player is suspended for the team's following game, which, in Balogun's case, would have been the United States' round of 16 matchup vs. Belgium.
FIFA's statement on the matter
FIFA mentioned article 27 of their disciplinary code in their statement. They wrote "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."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, Balogun is not totally out of the woods. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee continued, "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."
U.S. soccer was notified of Balogun's reinstatement at 9:31 a.m. ET on Sunday. The organization responded, "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete (Monday)."
They continued, "Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."
Has FIFA made other rulings like this in the past?
Yes. As recently as 2025, FIFA has revoked suspensions for high-profile players, like when the organization changed a three-game ban for Cristian Ronaldo to just a one-game ban. That ruling likely served as precedent for Balogun's reinstatement for the World Cup.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Why was Folarin Balogun suspended? Updates after suspension reversed