FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has suspended the automatic one-game ban triggered by Folarin Balogun’s red card in the United States’ Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, clearing the striker to play Monday against Belgium in the Round of 16, as first reported by Melissa Ortiz and confirmed by ESPN and The Athletic.

FIFA’s official statement leaves no ambiguity on the outcome.

“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the committee announced. U.S. Soccer issued its own statement in response. “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”

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Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code gives the relevant judicial body the discretion to fully or partially suspend a disciplinary measure. The provision does not erase the red card from the record but delays enforcement, placing Balogun on a one-year probationary period. FIFA applied a similar mechanism in 2025 when Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-game ban was reduced to a one-game suspension plus probation.

🚨🇺🇸 Folarin Balogun will be eligible to face Belgium, after FIFA opted to hand him a suspended one-game ban under Article 27.

The red card stands, but he’s free to play — as @MelissaMOrtiz reported. pic.twitter.com/jErdVC8OCC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2026

The red card itself came in the 59th minute of the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Replay review showed Balogun’s foot contacting the ankle area of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s World Cup tournament rules, the red card carried an automatic one-game ban. Multiple FIFA officials had said after the match that teams could not appeal red cards or the resulting suspensions, making Sunday’s Article 27 ruling the only pathway available for his reinstatement.

Balogun has been the United States’ most consistent attacking threat in the tournament. He scored twice in the group stage win over Paraguay and added another goal against Bosnia before his dismissal. His three goals lead the entire USMNT squad, and he is the only American player with more than one goal in the competition.

His absence from the Belgium match would have represented a significant blow to a U.S. side already light on attacking options beyond its top striker.

The United States face Belgium on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle, kicking off at 5 PM ET on Fox.