Folarin Balogun, a forward for the United States, a co-host of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, will be able to play in the round of 16 against Belgium after being freed from suspension for a red card in the previous match.
According to the AP on the 5th (local time), the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) notified the U.S. Soccer Federation that the one-match suspension imposed on Balogun will be stayed for one year. If Balogun does not commit a foul of a similar nature and level during the probationary period, the suspension will be officially withdrawn.
On the 2nd, Balogun scored the opener in the World Cup round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the United States, leading a 2-0 U.S. win. But during the match, he stepped on an opponent's ankle and was shown a red card.
By rule, a player shown a red card is banned from the next match, which would have kept Balogun out of the round of 16 against Belgium on the 7th. But the situation changed when FIFA decided to stay the suspension for one year based on Article 27 of the disciplinary code.
It is highly unusual for this provision to be applied in the World Cup knockout stage. According to The New York Times (NYT), it is the first time in 64 years since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player subject to suspension to play at the World Cup.
Fairness concerns are also expected to grow amid foreign media reports that the White House made a related request to FIFA. Citing an anonymous official familiar with the matter, the AP reported that the White House called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that Balogun's red card decision be reconsidered.
Some say FIFA may have been mindful of the United States as a co-host. In particular, President Infantino is known to be close to U.S. President Donald Trump, and FIFA awarded the newly established "FIFA Peace Award" to President Trump in Dec. last year.
On the 5th, President Trump said on social media (SNS), "Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and correcting a massive injustice."