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Will Folarin Balogun Start for the United States After Having His Suspension Lifted?
The U.S. striker is eligible to face Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-match ban, but Mauricio Pochettino still has a key lineup decision to make.
Balogun is back in contention
The biggest question surrounding the United States ahead of its Round of 16 clash against Belgium is whether Folarin Balogun will return to the starting lineup.
After several days of uncertainty, the American striker has been cleared to play after FIFA suspended the execution of his one-match ban, making him available once again for Mauricio Pochettino's squad.
The final decision now rests with the U.S. head coach, who must determine whether Balogun immediately returns to the starting XI or begins the match on the bench.
What happened to Balogun?
Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States' victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after a challenge in which he stepped on the ankle of a Bosnian defender while both players contested a loose ball.
The referee initially awarded only a foul, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red card.
The incident quickly became one of the tournament's most talked-about officiating decisions, sparking widespread debate over the use of slow-motion replays when evaluating challenges of this nature.
Why is he eligible to play?
Balogun is available because FIFA decided to suspend the execution of his disciplinary sanction, a mechanism permitted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Rather than canceling the suspension, the ruling places it under a probationary period. If Balogun commits another offense of a similar nature during that period, the suspended sanction could be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary measures.
While FIFA confirmed the application of Article 27, the organization has not publicly explained the specific reasons behind its decision to use the provision in Balogun's case.
A major boost for the United States
Balogun's return gives Mauricio Pochettino one of his most dangerous attacking weapons back at a crucial stage of the tournament.
The 25-year-old has been one of the standout performers for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and remains among the team's leading scorers.
If he is included in the starting lineup against Belgium, the U.S. will regain its primary attacking threat for one of its biggest matches of the tournament. Meanwhile, FIFA's decision continues to generate discussion across the football world, with different teams, analysts, and observers expressing varying views on the disciplinary process.
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