{"id":3757,"date":"2026-07-05T17:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T17:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3757"},"modified":"2026-07-05T17:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T17:39:09","slug":"folarin-balogun-available-for-usmnt-vs-belgium-in-stunning-world-cup-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3757","title":{"rendered":"Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium in stunning World Cup twist"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

SEATTLE \u2014 In an extraordinary development on the eve of the U.S. men\u2019s national team\u2019s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium, Folarin Balogun\u2019s red-card suspension has been suspended, FIFA announced Sunday.<\/p>

Read more Exclusive | Trump\u2019s turncoat former fixer Michael Cohen lands new gig at WABC radio<\/a><\/p>\n

FIFA is using the same precedent that allowed them to table Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s suspension at the tournament. According to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, \u201cthe judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.\u201d<\/p>\n

A suspension of the implementation of a saction \u201csubjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years,\u201d Article 27 continues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u00a0accept the\u00a0decision\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Disciplinary\u00a0Committee and\u00a0are\u00a0pleased\u00a0that\u00a0Folarin\u00a0Balogun is\u00a0eligible to\u00a0compete tomorrow,\u201d U.S. Soccer said in a statement on Sunday.\u00a0\u201cOur full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle,\u202fand we look forward to the\u00a0continued\u00a0support of our\u00a0amazing\u00a0fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just a couple days ago, U.S. Soccer had confirmed it would be a one-game suspension for Balogun, as automatically triggered by the red card, which carries no right to appeal.<\/p>\n

Balogun was sent off during the United States\u2019 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina after scraping his boot across Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic\u2019s ankle while battling for the ball. <\/p>\n

The red card was highly controversial, as the play looked much worse in slow motion than in real time, and there didn\u2019t seem to be another place for Balogun to put his foot.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

How the USMNT would deal with losing the star striker against Belgium was one of the biggest questions leading into the match.<\/p>

Read more Dad reveals clever hack to feed family of five for cheap at Chick-fil-A: \u2018It\u2019s like it\u2019s 2018 again\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

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World Cup Merch shop<\/h3>\n
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\"USMNT<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tCelebrate the global game in style with this FIFA World Cup 26 tee featuring all three host countries\u2019 logos and flags.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$28.00\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$23.80\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"world<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tRip into the excitement of World Cup season with this 2026 Panini sticker box packed with 25 packs of collectible stickers for fans and traders.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"world<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
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\nadidas FIFA World Cup \u201926 Trionda Host Nation League Soccer Ball<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tBring World Cup vibes to every kickaround with the official adidas FIFA World Cup \u201926 Soccer Ball built with host nation style and game-ready feel.\t\t\t\t<\/p>

Read more Mexico fans play music, launch fireworks outside of England\u2019s hotel before World Cup clash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now it seems to have been answered with manna from heaven.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

USMNT striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the World Cup Round of 16 against Belgium in a stunning development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","category-world-cup-2026"],"yoast_head":"\nFolarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium in stunning World Cup twist - Metro Transit Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3757\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium in stunning World Cup twist - 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