Folarin Balogun did as he was told — played soccer, because he was allowed to.
The day before the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Round of 16 game against Belgium, which Balogun was originally supposed to miss because of a red card in the prior game, FIFA ruled that he would be eligible.
The ruling added on to what was already a huge controversy, as it was argued Balogun should not have been red-carded in the first place. Nonetheless, Balogun was active despite an appeal and strong reaction from Belgium.
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Rudi Garcia, manager of Belgium, talks to Folarin Balogun of the United States after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (MB Media/Getty Images)
It didn’t quite matter, as the U.S. was embarrassed in a 4-1 defeat to Belgium to end its World Cup hopes, but after the game, Balogun approached Belgium manager Rudi Garcia, an interaction Garcia said he greatly appreciated.
“He came to talk to me. I really liked that. It is not his fault; he is not the one to blame, and that’s what I told him,” Garcia told reporters after the match. “I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code stated, “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
Folarin Balogun of the United States is consoled by Rudi Garcia, Head Coach of Belgium, after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Davis Ramos/Getty Images)
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“If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement,” the rule added.
President Donald Trump admitted to calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the red card.
“All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different.
“I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.”
Forward Folarin Balogun of the United States walks off the field after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium on July 6, 2026, at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Despite Trump’s efforts, Belgium will face Spain on Friday, as the United States will be back in 2032.
‘ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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