The U.S. males’s nationwide crew is ready to face Belgium on Monday evening within the World Cup spherical of 16 with star striker Folarin Balogun within the beginning lineup after his one-game suspension was placed on maintain by FIFA.
Balogun was given a pink card through the July 1 sport towards Bosnia-Herzegovina after the U.S. participant clashed with an opposing participant’s foot within the second half. The penalty routinely landed Balogun a one-game suspension. FIFA advised ABC Information on the time that the decision was ultimate and never capable of be overturned or appealed.
FIFA stated on Sunday that “the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary interval of 1 yr.”
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) kicks through the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between america and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., close to San Francisco, on July 1, 2026.
Martin Meissner/AP Photograph
The soccer governing physique added that if Balogun “commits one other infringement of the same nature and gravity through the probationary interval, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced with out prejudice to any further sanction imposed for the brand new infringement.”
Forward of Monday evening’s sport, the U.S. males’s nationwide crew confirmed that Balogun can be within the beginning lineup.
The Royal Belgium Soccer Affiliation (RBFA) launched a assertion Sunday that stated partially that it was “astonished” by FIFA’s determination to permit Balogun to play in Monday’s match towards them.
“As a way to safeguard the professional rights of all taking part groups and to guard the elemental rules of truthful play in our sport, each at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the match, the RBFA is investigating all potential choices,” the RBFA assertion additional stated.
European soccer’s governing physique, UEFA, stated in a press release on Monday {that a} pink card suspension is “a precept embedded in rules, which can’t be made topic to exceptions, not to mention in the midst of a match the place a number of different gamers have been in the identical scenario and often served their suspension.”
“We categorical our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable determination,” UEFA stated.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino advised reporters after final week’s match, which the U.S. received 2-0, that Balogun was “unhappy” and “upset” in regards to the name and that the conflict was not intentional, based on ESPN.
The USMNT’s victory was their first within the World Cup spherical of 32 since 2002 and solely their second knockout spherical victory in program historical past.
The American males’s finest consequence on the World Cup was a third-place end on the inaugural match all the best way in 1930.
United States’ Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick through the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between america and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., close to San Francisco, on July 1, 2026.
Martin Meissner/AP Photograph
The U.S. crew has been spectacular within the 2026 match thus far, ending the group stage with a 2-1 document, with wins over Paraguay and Australia earlier than a loss to Turkey, which occurred as soon as the crew had already secured a spot within the subsequent spherical.
Belgium, in the meantime, completed on the prime of their group with one win and two attracts and superior from the spherical of 32 with a 3-2 win over Senegal.
The U.S. and Belgium are set to face off Monday at 8 p.m. ET from Seattle Stadium.
The winner will go on to face Spain within the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday.
ABC Information’ Kelly McCarthy and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
