Balogun starts for US against Belgium after suspension lifted following call by Trump to FIFA
Following a phone call from Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended Balogun’s discipline for a year, prompting UEFA to call the decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
The teams lineup for the national anthems the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
SEATTLE (AP) — Folarin Balogun was in the United States’ starting lineup for Monday’s World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that across the sport.
for stepping on an opponentap ankle last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
“To have all the players available always is a good news,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said during a pregame interview on the television broadcast. “To have the possibility to have Balo again with us and being available is important for the team. … He scored three goals and I think he is doing a fantastic job.”
Following a , FIFA’s disciplinary committee on Sunday, prompting the European governing body UEFA to call the decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
Fans light flares as they arrive at the stadium ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgian fans parade near the stadium before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against the United States in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Fans react as they arrive at the stadium ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
United States fan react during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston holds a canister of red smoke as United States fan react during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston holds a canister of red smoke as United States fan react during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
United States fan react during the march to the match before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
United States soccer fans, one holding a sign for United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) react during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
A young US fan reacts of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A fan poses before a World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Seattle Seahawks players from left, AJ Barner, Brady Russell, Leonard Williams pose for a selfie ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The teams lineup for the national anthems the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)
A Belgium fan reacts ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Jets perform a flyover over Seattle Stadium before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Hiller)
Fireworks go off before the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, left, U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, center and FIFA President Gianni Infantino chat prior to the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks with U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, left, as Belgian entrepreneur Pascale Van Damme looks on before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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Fans light flares as they arrive at the stadium ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium’s attempt to have FIFA reinstate the suspension was denied by FIFA’s appeals committee, which said the Belgian federation lacked standing.
Belgium fans chanted “FIFA Mafia” during their pregame march to Lumen Field.
Infantino said he did not play a role in the decision by the disciplinary committee, which also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The FIFA president was in attendance for the match, watching from a suite with Pascale Van Damme, chair of the Belgian Football Association, and Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the USSF. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was seated nearby.
The U.S. started an unchanged lineup, while Belgium dropped Jérémy Doku and Kevin DeBruyne, who began on the bench along with Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils also left out Artur Teatre and Hans Vanaken, while inserting Dodi Lukébakio, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin and Nathan Ngoy.
Balogun’s three goals lead the U.S., which has never won consecutive knockout-round games at the World Cup. Belgium eliminated the Americans in the 2014 round of 16.
The U.S.-Belgium winner faces Spain on Friday at Inglewood, California, for a semifinal berth against France or Morocco. The U.S. last reached the quarterfinals in 2002, when it was knocked out by Germany. The Americans advanced to the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930.
