The last 24 hours have been a wild ride for USMNT fans. Folarin Balogun got a red card in the final group stage match. Then FIFA stepped in and suspended it. Now the striker is eligible for Monday’s Round of 16 showdown against Belgium.
Landon Donovan, maybe the most famous American player ever, didn’t wait long to chime in. He posted on social media right after the news dropped. And his reaction was basically what every fan was thinking.
“The Flo Balogun red card has been suspended,” Donovan wrote. “It’s not for me to judge whether I like it or don’t like it. Obviously, in this case, I love it. In the end, they got the decision right. Flo should have never been sent off. You never want to send off a player, especially when they have a chance to play in a Round of 16 in their home country.”
The original call was controversial from the start. Balogun’s challenge in the Group H match against Iran looked bad in real time. Replays showed he got the ball first and there was minimal contact. The referee stuck with the red anyway. And suddenly the USMNT faced the possibility of playing one of the biggest matches in program history without their most dangerous striker.
What the suspension means for USA vs. Belgium
The timing could not be better. The USA is hosting a World Cup for the first time since 1994. And they drew a Belgium team that looked vulnerable in group play but still has Kevin De Bruyne pulling strings in midfield. Having Balogun available changes how the US can approach the game.
Without him, the US would have had to start Ricardo Pepi or Josh Sargent. Both are fine players. But neither has Balogun’s combination of pace, strength, and finishing ability. He gives the team a legitimate out-ball when they’re under pressure. And against Belgium, they will be under pressure for stretches.
FIFA’s disciplinary process moved fast
FIFA typically takes days to review disciplinary cases. But with the knockout round starting Monday, they expedited the process. The governing body reviewed Balogun’s challenge and determined the red card was excessive. Their statement cited “insufficient evidence of serious foul play.” That’s basically FIFA admitting the referee got it wrong.
The USMNT has not commented officially beyond confirming they received the news. But sources close to the team said the locker room was relieved. Balogun was reportedly devastated after the red card. He thought he had cost his team a chance at history.
Now he gets that chance back. The USA and Belgium kick off at 8 pm ET on Monday, July 6. The winner plays either Argentina or Mexico in the quarterfinals. The loser goes home. And thanks to FIFA’s decision, the US will have its best player available for the fight.
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