The International Football Federation (FIFA) has temporarily lifted the suspension of US national team striker Folarin Balogun from the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card in the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organization did not specify the reasons for the decision, but referred to Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations, which allows for “partial or complete postponement of the execution of a disciplinary measure.”
The USA, which is one of the host countries of the 2026 World Cup, reached the 1/8 finals after the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but due to a red card they lost their top scorer Balogun, who scored three goals in the tournament. He was sent off in the second half for hitting a Bosnian defender's leg from behind. A red card automatically disqualifies a player for the next match.
A number of international referees and US coach Mauricio Pochettino questioned the referee's decision following a VAR review, insisting Balogun had acted unintentionally and had not seen where he was hitting the kick. The decision was also criticized by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
FIFA said on its official website that the 25-year-old Balogun will have the opportunity to play in the round of 16, where the United States will meet Belgium on July 6.
“In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Regulations, the implementation of the automatic ban for US player Folarin Balogun has been suspended for a suspended period of one year,” the football body said.
In the event of an offense of “similar seriousness”, the suspended one-match suspension will be added to the new fines against Balogun, FIFA explained. The organization did not provide specific reasons for this decision. The procedure for appealing red cards is not provided for in the regulations of this World Cup.
The decision to replace Balogun’s sentence with a suspended sentence was positively assessed by US President Donald Trump. The Republican and FIFA head Gianni Infantino previously emphasized that they maintain friendly relations.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and bringing justice,” the head of the White House wrote on the Truth Social social network.
