Former USA soccer player previews US match against Belgium
Former USMNT defender Jonathan Bornstein previews the nationwide crew’s FIFA World Cup match towards Belgium. Bornstein asserts this present technology is probably the most gifted USMNT squad ever, that includes gamers from high European golf equipment. He explains how the crew’s thrilling run is accelerating soccer’s progress and recognition throughout America, inspiring younger followers.
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Belgium is crying foul after FIFA cleared USMNT star Folarin Balogun earlier than Monday’s World Cup Spherical of 16 showdown in Seattle.
The Royal Belgian Soccer Affiliation launched an announcement on the overturned suspension, saying they have been “surprised by FIFA’s resolution to declare suspended American participant Folarin Balogun eligible to play,” arguing the ruling violates each the FIFA Disciplinary Code and World Cup rules.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks throughout the 2026 Semafor World Economic system convention in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
The federation concluded by saying it’s “contemplating all attainable choices” to guard “the professional rights of all taking part groups and protect the elemental ideas of truthful play.”
FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN’S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION
FIFA, nevertheless, wasn’t persuaded.
“Pursuant to article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the appliance of the automated suspension of American participant Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary interval of 1 (1) yr,” the FIFA Disciplinary Committee mentioned in an official assertion.
The ruling means Balogun, who was despatched off towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, is eligible to face Belgium on Monday night time.
USA WORLD CUP STAR CALLS LACK OF APPEAL PROCESS FOR TEAMMATE’S RED CARD ‘BOGUS’
President Trump celebrated the ruling on Reality Social, thanking FIFA “for doing what was proper, and reversing an important injustice!” Trump additionally praised Balogun’s reinstatement and predicted a robust efficiency from the People towards Belgium.
President Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, and Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, pose for a selfie with Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw on the John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Hector Vivas/FIFA/FIFA by way of Getty Pictures)
It isn’t arduous to see why Belgium wished Balogun sidelined. The American striker leads the USA with three objectives this event.
Balogun scored towards Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier than being proven a red card within the sixty fourth minute after a VAR evaluate upgraded the problem.
FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE RED CARD RULE CHANGE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY
US striker Folarin Balogun’s controversial pink card was one of many greatest moments of the crew’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Picture by Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures))
The dismissal instantly sparked debate amongst followers and pundits, lots of whom believed the punishment was overly harsh.
The U.S. realized of FIFA’s resolution whereas arriving for Sunday morning coaching within the Seattle space.
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Belgium enters Monday’s Spherical of 16 match ranked No. 9 within the FIFA World Rankings after handing the USA a 5-2 loss in a March pleasant.
However World Cup knockout soccer is a special animal.
Come kickoff Monday night time in Seattle, Balogun can be precisely the place Belgium hoped he would not be: on the sector.
FULL STATEMENT
“The Royal Belgian Soccer Affiliation (RBFA) is surprised by FIFA’s resolution to declare suspended American participant Folarin Balogun eligible to play within the United States-Belgium match scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. (Seattle time).
“FIFA bases its resolution on article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee could determine to droop the appliance of a beforehand imposed disciplinary sanction.
“Nevertheless, article 66.4 of the identical FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly offers {that a} pink card (sending-off) mechanically leads to a suspension for the crew’s subsequent match, as has been the case for all pink playing cards proven earlier throughout this FIFA World Cup.
“Furthermore, and independently of the above, this resolution immediately contradicts the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Rules, as set out in article 10.5:
“‘If a participant or crew official is distributed off because of a direct or oblique pink card (second warning), he can be mechanically suspended for his crew’s subsequent match. As well as, additional sanctions could also be imposed.’
“The automated nature of such a suspension was additionally explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 round no. 16, which was distributed to all taking part member associations on Could 12, 2026.
“This rule is reiterated at each FIFA World Cup 2026 match coordination assembly earlier than every sport and seems in all workshop shows devoted to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“So as to safeguard the professional rights of all taking part groups and protect the elemental ideas of truthful play in our sport, each throughout this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the event, the RBFA is contemplating all attainable choices.”
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