FIFA's independent disciplinary committee suspended a one-game red card ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun on Sunday, making the forward available for the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
The 25-year-old received a straight red card during the 64th minute of the co-hosts' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
A video assistant referee review showed his boot landing on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The governing body announced that the automatic suspension will be delayed under a probationary framework.
This allows Balogun to return to the lineup after starting three of the team's four tournament matches.
U. S.
Soccer engaged in discussions with the disciplinary body regarding the reversal and received official confirmation before Sunday's final training session at the University of Washington campus.
"I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first," joked defender Chris Richards.
He added that the striker remained calm but excited while enjoying the post-July 4 celebrations with his teammates.
"He was just enjoying the post-July 4 celebrations that we had and just enjoying being American," Richards said.
Probationary Period and Conditions
The judicial body retains full discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary sanction under its current regulations.
"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," FIFA stated.
The governing body clarified that any future infraction of a similar nature during this period would cause the suspension to be revoked and enforced.
"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 FIFA statement continued.
U. S.
Soccer expressed satisfaction with the ruling that permits their leading World Cup goal scorer to participate in the critical knockout match.
"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," US Soccer said in a statement.
Team captain Christian Pulisic noted that the squad had prepared to play without Balogun by potentially slotting Ricardo Pepi into the starting position before the news broke on the team bus.
"If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all," Pulisic said.
Pulisic praised how his teammate handled the situation with a positive attitude before the official announcement altered their match preparations.
"The team would've been ready without him," Pulisic noted.
Shortly after the decision was made public, U. S.
President Donald Trump praised the governing body on social media. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Balogun, who has registered three goals and two Player of the Match awards during the tournament, previously shared his perspective regarding the severity of the initial penalty.
"There's nowhere else to put your leg. It's going to be unavoidable," Balogun told reporters at a USA training session.
The forward noted that moving past the incident remained the priority for the squad. "So, I've seen many different opinions and takes.
But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair.
It's something that's happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it," Balogun added.
The team is now shifting its focus entirely toward the upcoming knockout game. "For him, it's time to work," defender Alex Freeman said.
Freeman emphasized the importance of the forward remaining mentally sharp to sustain his on-field momentum.
"Obviously he found out he can play but now it's how can he stay mentally prepared to be able to go out tomorrow and perform and still put out his momentum and actions he's had," Freeman stated.
