Folarin Balogun, the United States' leading scorer in the World Cup with three goals, is now eligible to play in the team's last-16 match against Belgium after world football's governing body, FIFA, suspended his one-game red card ban.

Balogun, 25, received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the US's 2-0 victory in their last-32 tie. The automatic one-match suspension, typically enforced for such offenses, has been suspended by FIFA for a probationary period of one year.

FIFA cited a rule allowing for the suspension of punishments, though no specific reasoning was provided for this particular decision. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed astonishment at the ruling, stating it contradicts the competition regulations reaffirmed to participating nations in May. The RBFA is reportedly exploring all potential options in response.

The implications of FIFA's decision are significant, potentially impacting the integrity of the tournament's disciplinary procedures. The RBFA emphasized the need to safeguard the rights of participating teams and uphold fair play principles.

US President Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for reversing what he termed "a great injustice." Reports suggest Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino earlier in the week to request a review of the red card, though these reports have not been officially confirmed by the BBC.

US forward Christian Pulisic shared that the squad learned of the ban's suspension on their way to training, noting Balogun's happiness. Pulisic described the foul as "harsh" but acknowledged the team's relief at his availability.

The RBFA highlighted that all previous red cards issued at the current World Cup have resulted in automatic suspensions, contrasting FIFA's decision with established precedent and competition rules. They are investigating all avenues to address this discrepancy.

This situation arises amidst broader discussions about the US team's performance and player eligibility, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio having previously called for a review of the decision. The question of how FIFA's disciplinary code is applied and whether this decision sets a new precedent remains a key point of interest.