Balogun cleared as USA face Belgium in World Cup last 16
FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban before the USA’s knockout match against Belgium, a decision Belgium questioned after reported Trump lobbying.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Folarin Balogun is eligible to play for the United States against Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 after FIFA suspended his automatic red-card ban, Al Jazeera reported. The decision puts the USA’s leading striker back into a knockout match that will decide whether the cohosts reach their first quarterfinal since 2002.
The match is scheduled for Monday, July 6, at Seattle Stadium, with kickoff at 7pm local time, or 00:00 GMT on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera. The winner will meet either Portugal or Spain in Los Angeles on Friday, July 10.
FIFA decision puts Balogun back in contention
Al Jazeera, citing multiple reports, said President Donald Trump personally asked FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, to review Balogun’s case less than 48 hours before the Belgium match. Balogun had been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.
FIFA said it acted under article 27 of its disciplinary code. “The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement quoted by Al Jazeera.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino defended the ruling, saying there was past precedent for delaying a suspension. “I think 99.9% of people in football have said this is an unfair punishment and there’s evidence from the past that makes it possible to suspend a punishment and to fulfil it later on,” Pochettino told reporters, according to Al Jazeera.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia criticised the decision and compared its timing to an April Fools’ joke, Al Jazeera reported. Garcia said the Belgian federation was defending “football in general” and its integrity and ethics, adding that he believed it was the first such decision in World Cup history.
How the teams arrived in Seattle
The USA won Group D with six points after victories over Paraguay and Australia and a loss to Turkiye, according to Al Jazeera. Pochettino’s team then beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the round of 32.
Belgium won Group G with five points, drawing with Egypt and Iran before beating New Zealand, Al Jazeera reported. Garcia’s side reached the last 16 by defeating Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
Opta’s model gives little separation between the teams. Al Jazeera reported that the Opta supercomputer rated the USA at 37.2 percent to win in regulation time, Belgium at 36.5 percent and extra time or penalties at 26.3 percent.
Team news and recent history
Al Jazeera reported that USA midfielder Cristian Roldan is doubtful with a muscle injury, while Belgium had no injuries listed. The outlet’s predicted USA lineup included Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest in a 4-3-3 formation.
Belgium’s projected team included Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku, according to Al Jazeera. Lukaku was listed as Belgium’s joint top scorer at the tournament with two goals.
The USA beat Belgium 3-0 at the 1930 World Cup, but Al Jazeera reported that Belgium have won the past six meetings between the teams. Their most recent match was a March friendly, when Belgium beat the USA 5-2.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.