The United States have received a major boost ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash against Belgium after FIFA cleared striker Folarin Balogun to play despite his recent red card. Read original..
The world football governing body announced on Sunday that it has suspended the one-match ban that would have ruled Balogun out of the knockout fixture.
The forward was sent off during the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina after a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. Under FIFA regulations, the dismissal normally carried an automatic one-match suspension.
However, FIFA overturned the immediate enforcement of the ban, making the American striker eligible for selection against Belgium.
In a statement, FIFA said: "In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year."
The football body added: "If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
The decision means USA coach can now include Balogun in his squad as the Americans prepare for one of the biggest matches of their World Cup campaign against Belgium.