BREAKING: FIFA change rule to allow USMNT star face Belgium in FIFA World Cup Round of 16

× FIFA have changed their rule to allow USMNT star Folarin Balogun to feature in his nation's Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ad In the USMNT's Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 1), Balogun triggered wild celebrations after opening the scoring in the 45th minute. In the 64th minute, however, the 25-year-old was sent for an early shower after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic.

A red card is usually accompanied by a one-game ban under Article 10.5 of FIFA's rulebook for the FIFA World Cup. However, multiple outlets, including Sky News and The Athletic, have now reported that Balogun's ban has been suspended for a year.

Ad Trending Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code gives the governing body full discretion to 'fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure'. It is believed that the article was applied to adjourn Balogun's ban until a later date and make him eligible to play against Belgium. Balogun has been a key contributor in the USMNT's run to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He has scored three goals in three tournament appearances for the Stars and Stripes and will likely be the focal point in attack against Belgium as well. Ad The Red Devils, led by the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois among others, will pose a difficult challenge for Mauricio Pochettino's side. The game between the two sides will be played at the Seattle Stadium on Monday (July 6).

"A true representation of America" - USMNT captain Tim Ream makes claim ahead of Round of 16 clash vs Belgium at 2026 FIFA World Cup USMNT skipper Tim Ream has claimed that his squad is a 'true representation' of the United States of America as a whole. Ad Mauricio Pochettino's squad includes a mix of naturalized players and players with ethnic backgrounds from all around the world. On Saturday (July 4), the 250th anniversary of the USA's Independence Day, the squad reportedly celebrated with fireworks on a rooftop bar.

Speaking to reporters at the University of Washington ahead of the celebrations, Ream spoke proudly about the diversity in the US squad. The 38-year-old claimed (via ESPN): "First and foremost, it is special. Obviously it's doubly special because it's during the World Cup and triple special because it's here in the U.

S. But yeah, we've said this as a group with all our different backgrounds, where we all have grown up, it's a true representation of what America is."Ream has played the full 90 minutes in three of the USMNT's four games and has helped his side keep two clean sheets.

Up next, his side will face the biggest challenge of their FIFA World Cup campaign in the form of a Round of 16 clash against Belgium (July 6). × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Aaryan Nagraj FIFA have changed their rule to allow USMNT star Folarin Balogun to feature in his nation's Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ad In the USMNT's Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 1), Balogun triggered wild celebrations after opening the scoring in the 45th minute. In the 64th minute, however, the 25-year-old was sent for an early shower after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. A red card is usually accompanied by a one-game ban under Article 10.

5 of FIFA's rulebook for the FIFA World Cup. However, multiple outlets, including Sky News and The Athletic, have now reported that Balogun's ban has been suspended for a year. Ad Trending Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code gives the governing body full discretion to 'fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure'.

It is believed that the article was applied to adjourn Balogun's ban until a later date and make him eligible to play against Belgium. Balogun has been a key contributor in the USMNT's run to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has scored three goals in three tournament appearances for the Stars and Stripes and will likely be the focal point in attack against Belgium as well.

Ad The Red Devils, led by the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois among others, will pose a difficult challenge for Mauricio Pochettino's side. The game between the two sides will be played at the Seattle Stadium on Monday (July 6). "A true representation of America" - USMNT captain Tim Ream makes claim ahead of Round of 16 clash vs Belgium at 2026 FIFA World Cup USMNT skipper Tim Ream has claimed that his squad is a 'true representation' of the United States of America as a whole.

Ad Mauricio Pochettino's squad includes a mix of naturalized players and players with ethnic backgrounds from all around the world. On Saturday (July 4), the 250th anniversary of the USA's Independence Day, the squad reportedly celebrated with fireworks on a rooftop bar. Speaking to reporters at the University of Wash