The U.S. men's national team had prepared its game plan for Monday's World Cup round of 16 knockout game against Belgium without star forward Folarin Balogun.
That was until things changed for Balogun, Mauricio Pochettino and Co. just 24 hours out from the match.
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced on Sunday that it had made a match-altering decision by suspending Balogun's one-game suspension for his red card from the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision that has made Balogun available against the De Rode Duivels.
Balogun has been one of the USMNT’s standout performers this tournament, scoring three goals in four matches. He struck once against Bosnia and Herzegovina, finishing in the 45th minute just before first‑half stoppage time, and delivered a brace against Paraguay in the USMNT's 4–1 Group D opener win.
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USMNT and Belgium are set for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff against each other on Monday at Lumen Stadium in Seattle.
Folarin Balogun of the U.S. celebrates scoring a goal on July 1.
Here's what to know about Balogun's status and more:
Is Folarin Balogun playing Monday?
Yes. After initially being scheduled to sit out Monday's round of 16 match, Folarin Balogun will be available for Pochettino and the USMNT against Belgium.
Balogun received his controversial red card in the 64th minute of the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. Balogun was given the red card after he came down on the foot of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the 64th minute of the match.
Folarin Balogun reversed red card suspension, explained
It was announced Sunday afternoon that Balogun would be available for Monday's match against Belgium, as FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced they were reversing course and suspending the one-game suspension that Balogun was set to serve.
"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 FIFA statement read. "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."
In a statement shortly after the news, U.S. Soccer wrote that it welcomed the decision by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee, stating: "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."
As previously noted by USA Today Sports, U.S. Soccer was engaged in the process with FIFA's Disciplinary Committee and learned of the decision Sunday morning.
In addition, President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on July 1, the day of the USMNT's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, to urge him to review the red card that was issued to Balogun, according to a source familiar with the conversation who told USA Today on Sunday. It was first reported by The New York Times that Trump intervened in the situation and called Infantino.
Balogun's status change was not as welcomed by the Belgian FA or Belgium coach Rudi Garcia. In a statement on Sunday, the Belgian FA said they were "astonished" to learn of the reversal and that they would investigate all options on it. Garcia, meanwhile, thought July 5 was the equivalent of April 1, or April Fool's Day, at FIFA when he spoke on the severity of the decision during his media availability on Sunday.
USMNT vs Belgium: Date, Time, TV channel
- Date: Monday, July 6
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)
- TV channel: Fox | Telemundo
- Streaming: Fox Sports Go app | Fubo (Free Trial) | Peacock (Spanish Language)
Monday's World Cup match between the United States and Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle will be broadcast on Fox and Telemundo, with the latter carrying the Spanish-language broadcast. Streaming options include the Fox Sports Go app (with a TV login), Fubo, which carries Fox and offers a free trial to new subscribers, and Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service that will have the Spanish-language broadcast.
