Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said he was stunned to learn that United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun will be available for Monday's World Cup clash. The Belgian federation has since said it will explore every possible avenue to challenge FIFA's decision, with both Garcia and the FA framing their opposition as a defense of football.
American soccer's top stars found out about Sunday's news the same way everyone else did, and now they're looking forward to benefitting from it in their Round of 16 match.
USMNT striker Folarin Balogun has had his one-game ban suspended, and is eligible to play in his country's Round of 16 game against Belgium Monday night. The Monaco forward was supposed to be ruled out of the fixture after picking up a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FIFA unilaterally stepped in and pushed his suspension back.
Replacing Folarin Balogun is not just about finding goals. It's about finding the right tactical fit for a USMNT attack built on runs, pressure, and chaos.
On a 250th Fourth of July, Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT have become America's team, turning a World Cup run into a celebration of American soccer.
Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
Landon Donovan joins Ocho and Raheem on The Late Run to revisit a career built far from the spotlight. He reflects on leaving home for Bayer Leverkusen at 16, grinding to sell MLS tickets, his 2012 mental-health sabbatical, the Klinsmann World Cup snub, facing Messi and Ronaldo, Beckham’s impact on MLS, the pay-to-play problem threatening U.S. soccer and why a home World Cup could change everything.
Folarin Balogun fired the USMNT into the World Cup knockout stages with his third goal of the tournament before a red card cut his night short. The Monaco striker entered an exclusive group featuring Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho, while the United States now prepare to face Belgium without their top scorer.
The USMNT secured their place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, but the victory has been marred by a major disciplinary blow. Folarin Balogun, who opened the scoring in Santa Clara, was dismissed in the 64th minute following a VAR review. Despite the frustration within the American camp, the AS Monaco forward is now set to miss the clash against Belgium, with US Soccer unable to appeal the decision.
The USMNT's victory over Bosnia was overshadowed by Folarin Balogun's controversial red card, with Mauricio Pochettino insisting the striker's challenge was accidental. Alexi Lalas also questioned why a similar incident involving Lionel Messi earlier in the tournament went unpunished, sparking accusations of inconsistent officiating.
The red card given to Folarin Balogun could have ended the USMNT's run in the World Cup, but the Americans' dream continues as they refused to cave in.
Wednesday's Round of 32 provided a test the USMNT never would have wanted, but they did what had to be done to escape the Bay Area and stay in the tournament.
They’ve crossed states, built communities and waited decades for this moment. Now, USMNT fans are hoping this World Cup can change American soccer forever.
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic was never short on bold opinions as a player, and retirement has done little to quiet him. Now working as part of FOX’s World Cup coverage, the Sweden icon has become a viral presence on the studio desk, thanks to his blunt assessments and verbal sparring with former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas. Christian Pulisic, who knows Ibrahimovic well from AC Milan, has been watching along - and enjoying the show.
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