FIFA clears USA striker Folarin Balogun to face Belgium after suspending his red-card ban for World Cup last-16 clash.

Folarin Balogun cleared by FIFA to play for USA against Belgium in 2026 World Cup round of 16

FIFA has cleared Folarin Balogun to play for the United States against Belgium in Seattle.

The decision came on Sunday, just hours before the Round of 16 tie. It overturns what looked like an automatic one-match ban.  

Balogun was sent off late in the USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. He had scored the opening goal, then saw red after stepping on defender Tarik Muharemović's foot following a VAR review.  

That red card triggered an immediate suspension under tournament rules. It meant the 25-year-old, the Americans' top scorer with three goals so far, was set to miss the Belgium game.  

But FIFA's Disciplinary Committee invoked a rarely used rule. Citing Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, they suspended the enforcement of the ban, making Balogun available for Monday's clash.  

Article 27 allows FIFA to pause a sanction in exceptional circumstances. It is different from an appeal, which is normally blocked for straight red cards under Article 66.4.

The news was first reported by The Athletic and later confirmed by multiple US outlets. Players reportedly learned about it on the team bus heading to training.  

Belgium are not happy. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was "stunned" and "astonished" by the move, arguing it violates both the Disciplinary Code and World Cup regulations.  

In a statement, the Belgians said they are "considering all possible options" and pointed out that FIFA based the decision on Article 27, which gives the committee power to suspend a previously imposed sanction.  

For US head coach Mauricio Pochettino, it is a huge boost. Balogun has led the line all tournament and scored the winner against Bosnia. Without him, the US would have had to reshuffle its attack against a Belgian side packed with experience.