The United States has extra reason for celebration to cap off Fourth of July weekend thanks to a last-minute decision from FIFA on star striker Folarin Balogun and the red card he received during the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun received a one-game suspension for a controversial red card during the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, which would have made him unavailable for Monday night’s win-or-go-home showdown with Belgium.
However, on Sunday afternoon, FIFA lifted Balogun’s one-game ban, which will allow him to take the field in the Round of 16.
The decision aprovides a major boost to the USMNT, but reignites the conversation about FIFA corruption.
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Did FIFA Make The Right Call On Folarin Balogun?
There was plenty of outcry when Balogun received a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with many pointing to a no-call against Argentina star Lionel Messi earlier in the tournament.
Officials also misapplied VAR protocols which resulted in Balogun’s red card, which added to the conversation about the USA star wrongly being sent off.
But now that the one-game ban has been suspended, people are calling FIFA out for its long history of corruption controversies.
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“This is unbelievable. Belgium should be raising hell over this. There are some lines you just don’t cross,” one fan wrote on X. “And if the US wins, then what? Does the suspension just get pushed back until after the World Cup?”
Another added, “Man, it’s hard to believe in this sport when open corruption like this is happening. You can say the red card is soft or that others should have gotten cards for similar fouls but suspending a punishment because FIFA got a call is distasteful.”
Others joked that President Donald Trump made a call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who awarded Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World award.
There is some precedent, however.
During World Cup qualifying, Cristiano Ronaldo received a three-game ban and would have been ineligible for the Group Stage of the tournament, but his ban was also suspended by FIFA. Now, Balogun gets the same treatment.
Ultimately, it’s a decision that was made, and one that Belgium will have to adjust to just over 48 hours until kickoff in Seattle. We’ll have to see if the United States can take advantage. Kickoff on FOX is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
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