Folarin Balogun has been cleared to start for the United States in their upcoming World Cup match against Belgium after the Royal Belgian Football Association’s appeal was dismissed.
The decision was deemed inadmissible because the Belgian federation is not a party to the disciplinary proceedings and therefore lacks standing to challenge the ruling.
Belgium acknowledged the verdict but said it could pursue further action, citing a lack of access to the decision’s reasoning and a breach of FIFA regulations.
Balogun’s suspension followed a sending‑off after he scored in the United States’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a penalty that had sparked controversy earlier in the tournament.
FIFA’s president emphasized that the disciplinary committee operates independently, applies the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and that its decisions must be respected to preserve the sport’s integrity.
United States head coach Pochettino is free to include Balogun in the squad for the 1 a.m. BST clash, a match that could set up a quarter‑final against Portugal or Spain.
The United States has reached the World Cup quarter‑finals only once since its third‑place finish in 1930, making the upcoming game a significant moment for the team.
