The United States men’s national soccer team will enter their Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium without the expected absence of forward Folarin Balogun. On July 5, a day before the match, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced it was suspending the one-match ban originally issued to Balogun following a red card he received during the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.

Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the game for stepping on the foot of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. Under standard rules, this dismissal would have resulted in an automatic one-game suspension, barring Balogun from participating in the subsequent round. The initial decision did not include an option for appeal, making the reversal unexpected.

The suspension of the red card effectively clears Balogun to play against Belgium, removing the United States’ most significant lineup uncertainty ahead of the knockout stage match. The timing of the committee’s ruling offers a substantial boost to the U.S. squad’s attacking options as they prepare to face a strong Belgian side.

No further details were provided about the rationale behind FIFA’s decision to suspend the penalty. The development was met with relief by the U.S. team, which had braced for the possibility of competing without one of its key forwards. The match against Belgium represents a critical juncture in the tournament for the United States as they seek to advance deeper into the World Cup.