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Star forward Folarin Balogun will be able to play for the U.S. men’s national team in its round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday after a surprising reversal by FIFA. But that decision might make the USA squad a villain for the rest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas argued. “Long live Article 27. If you’ve got a problem with it, take it up with FIFA,” Lalas said during FOX Sports’ “World Cup Live.” “This is some surprising, but very, very welcome news to the U.S. men’s national team.” “I will say this: It is now USA vs. the world after this decision,” Lalas continued, “because any support or a treaty or benefit of the doubt kind of just went out the window with this, because we will be seen after this, and we’re already starting to see, some of this as being given special treatment right now. But you know what, it doesn’t matter. Us against the world, that’s fine.” The FIFA Disciplinary Committee initially gave Balogun an automatic one-game red card suspension and, with the reversal, he has since placed him on a one-year probation under Chapter 4, Article 27 of the disciplinary code due to his red card in the USA’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun scored the game-winning goal in the 2-0 victory but was later shown a straight red card following a VAR review. Standard protocols suggest the play should not have been flagged to referee Raphael Claus, who had not cautioned Balogun on the field during the live sequence. Because U.S. Soccer had no formal avenue to appeal the decision under standard regulations, the governing body stepped in directly to apply the probation clause. Beyond the decision to clear the USA’s leading goalscorer, the timing of the decision remains a primary point of criticism. The ruling was confirmed just one day before the knockout match, forcing both coaching staffs to adjust their plans. Thierry Henry, who coached Belgium as an assistant manager during two separate stints from 2016-2018, noted that the reversal places an unfair burden on the Belgian side, which had spent days planning for an American lineup without its primary striker. “That’s exactly what it is for Belgium, breaking news,” Henry explained. “That must have broke their spirit a tiny bit because also you prepare the game to play a certain way and then suddenly, you have to change also your preparation of the game.” Lalas agreed with the Belgian perspective, but he said the USA squad shouldn’t take it into account. “I do agree with you that it hurts the preparation for Belgium. [and] what they prepared for, and now they’re going to have to change it,” Lalas said. “But I don’t think Mauricio Pochettino cares.” With Balogun returning to the starting lineup and Ricardo Pepi likely reverting to the bench, Lalas concluded that having the full complement of attacking players is necessary to advance. “In order for the US to win this game tomorrow, right here against Belgium, they need all guns blazing, and without a gun in Flo Balogun, that was a big, big miss,” Lalas explained. “Happy to see this guy who’s had such a wonderful tournament, and we don’t want to be deprived of stars, and make no mistake, he is a star.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

In a stunning turn of events, United States mens’ national team striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play vs. Belgium despite receiving a red card in the Americans’ World Cup round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The news comes just two days after FIFA ruled that Balogun would indeed serve his automatic one-game suspension for receiving a red card with no path for the U.S. to appeal. So, what changed? Here is everything to know about why Balogun will be available for USA vs. Belgium on Monday at Seattle Stadium: Why Can Balogun Play? The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that Balogun’s suspension would be suspended for one year, citing Chapter 4, Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on suspension of implementation of disciplinary measures, which notes that the “judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” When Will Balogun Serve His Suspension? Folarin Balogun will only have to serve his one-match suspension if he commits another infringement of “similar nature and gravity during the year-long probationary period.” In the event that happens, FIFA will revoke the suspension and the sanction will be enforced “without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.” Has This Happened Before? Yes. Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo directly benefited from a similar ruling before the tournament. Ronaldo received a direct red card during Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the back. The FIFA disciplinary code typically mandates a strict three-match ban for violent conduct, which would have ruled Ronaldo out of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued a suspended suspension, which allowed Ronaldo to serve his one-match suspension in a pre-World Cup friendly and deferred the remaining two matches under a one-year probationary period. Why Was Balogun Suspended? Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the second half by referee Rafael Claus after VAR review showed that he stepped on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović’s ankle.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports