Balogun Cleared to Play as USA Faces Belgium in World Cup Round of 16
Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States men's national team when they face Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, July 6, after FIFA's disciplinary body suspended the red card he received in the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington, and will be broadcast on FOX with streaming available via FOX One and FOX Sports.
Balogun's red card, issued in the 64th minute of the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina following a VAR review by head referee Raphael Claus, had threatened to sideline the striker for the knockout stage. According to a report first published by The Athletic and subsequently confirmed by FOX Sports, the incident should not have been referred to the referee for review. FIFA's disciplinary code allows its judicial body to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure, and that provision was applied in Balogun's case. The striker, who scored his third goal of the tournament in that match, had been one of the USMNT's most consistent performers since the opening fixture. bandy betting
With Balogun reinstated, head coach Mauricio Pochettino can field his preferred starting lineup without adjustment. The venue adds further significance: Seattle Stadium provided a highly charged atmosphere when the United States defeated Australia in the group stage, and a knockout fixture is expected to draw an even more intense crowd. Reaching the quarterfinals would represent a historic achievement for the program, a feat accomplished only once previously in USMNT World Cup history.
Belgium advanced from their own Round of 32 match against Senegal in dramatic fashion. Trailing 2-0 late in the second half, Belgium equalized through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time. Tielemans then converted a penalty awarded for a foul inside Senegal's box in extra time to complete the comeback and secure Belgium's place in the last 16. The winner of Monday's match will advance to the quarterfinals.
