"I think everyone who really looked at the sport and trusts in ethics and integrity should celebrate that decision," Pochettino said in the wake of widespread criticism of the ruling, which was reportedly influence by US president Doanld Trump.

"We were punished enough against Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing with 10 men for 35 minutes after a decision that was completely unfair."

Balogun was sent off in the second half of last week's Round of 32 match with Bosnia and Herzegovina for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. The 25-year-old's dismissal came after a video review.

FIFA announced on Monday (AEST) that the ban was being suspended but not rescinded. The unprecedented decision followed a call from Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had said the ruling felt like "April Fool's Day".

Pochettino acknowledged Garcia's position although he insisted the decision was good for football.

He added that while he understood Garcia had to object, integrity and ethics were "global" and "more fair than that is impossible".

Pochettino said he had not been involved in the appeal process and only learned of the ruling shortly before the team's training session.

The Argentinean added that political pressure should not influence sports rulings.

"We cannot mix that," Pochettino said.

Pochettino acknowledged that Balogun's availability was a boost but stressed that the United States team's strength was in the collective.

"The power is in the 26 players," he said. "Maybe tomorrow my decision is to put Balogun on the bench. Who knows?"

Balogun has been America's top scorer in the tournament so far, making up for US talisman Christian Pulisic's limited game time because of injury.

Pochettino said Belgium remained "one of the greatest teams in the world" and among the contenders to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

United States lost 5-2 to Belgium in March in a FIFA World Cup warm-up game.

United States fans see the upcoming game as a boost to the country's international football reputation and domestically it puts the sport on a par with other major professional sports in America.

"I think this knockout round against a European country, being at the door of the quarter-finals, would make even more history for a country like this," Pochettino said.

Before this FIFA World Cup, he said, football in the United States "was beginning to grow among young people, but now people are waking up and beginning to feel the sport".

United States and Belgium are playing in one of the country's biggest football cities and in a stadium known for being among the loudest in professional sports.

"We are going to have the support of our fans, the 12th Man," Pochettino said, referring to the diehard supporters of Seattle Seahawks.