The latest
FIFA’s disciplinary committee reversed the automatic suspension triggered by Folarin Balogun’s straight red card against Bosnia, clearing the US striker to face Belgium on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle. The committee holds authority to increase, reduce, or fully suspend bans — a power that FIFA officials had previously suggested would not be exercised in this case.
Details
• President Trump posted on Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”
• Christian Pulisic told reporters at training: “If you look at the foul, it was just — there’s zero intent at all. I felt like there was much worse ones that went on at this tournament.” He added: “We were prepared to play without him. We’ve been granted this opportunity now, which is great.”
• Defender Chris Richards said the team found out through social media on the bus to training. “A lot of us thought it was AI at first,” he said. “Nobody wanted to confirm it.”
• Defender Alex Freeman said: “We know how much impact he can make. Finding out he’s available just gives us extra confidence.”
• Balogun’s red card for a foul on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic was criticized immediately after the match by head coach Mauricio Pochettino and several players.
What to watch
Whether Balogun starts or comes off the bench against Belgium — and whether the reversal holds if FIFA faces broader scrutiny over the consistency of its disciplinary process during the tournament.
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