FIFA suspend Folarin Balogun World Cup ban in stunning move

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Folarin Balogun is available to play in the United States’ World Cup last-16 clash against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-match ban.

Balogun received a straight red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic in the US’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.

However, FIFA has said the automatic one-match ban has been now suspended for a year.

In a statement published on BBC Sport, world football’s governing body said: “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.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

The decision comes as a major boost for the US as they prepare to take on Belgium for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals in Seattle next Tuesday.

STATS

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 43

  Games

• 19

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

Balogun has been one of the co-hosts’ standout players so far this tournament, scoring three goals in as many appearances.

The 25-year-old found the back of the net in the win over Bosnia before he was sent off for the foul on defender Muharemovic.

Balogun accidentally stood on the back of Muharemovic’s ankle as the pair tussled for the ball in the second half.

After being asked to consult the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Brazilian referee Raphael Claus then decided to show Balogun a straight red card.

US head coach Mauricio Pochettino was furious with the decision to dismiss Balogun, saying after the game: “For me, it is never a red card. It was never [his] intention to step on the player.

“It was a normal action in football, that you are fighting for the ball, and your feet land, no? Yeah, maybe it was a little bit tough, the scene, to watch. But it was never intentional.”

Ronaldo also had a World Cup ban suspended by FIFA

Balogun is not the first player to have a World Cup ban suspended, after Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in Portugal’s opening fixture against DR Congo despite receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland in qualifying.

Ronaldo was given his marching orders for an elbow to Dara O'Shea's back during Portugal's 2-0 loss to Ireland on 13 November 2025, and initially received a three-match ban.

However, after missing Portugal’s next qualifier against Armenia three days later, FIFA suspended the remainder of the ban for a year, paving the way for Ronaldo to feature against DR Congo and Uzbekistan at this summer's World Cup.