FIFA has confirmed that United States forward Folarin Balogun will be available for selection for his country’s Round of 32 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after overturning his one-match suspension.
Balogun had been shown a red card during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that ordinarily carried an automatic one-match ban. The striker was sent off following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, FIFA announced that the implementation of the suspension had been suspended under the provisions of its disciplinary code.
“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,” the statement read.
FIFA added that if Balogun commits another offence of a similar nature and severity during the probationary period, the suspended sanction will be activated in addition to any disciplinary action imposed for the new offence.
The decision means the USA striker will be eligible for selection when his side takes on Belgium in the knockout stage of the tournament.
