Folarin Balogun Gets Green Light for USMNT's Belgium Showdown After FIFA Suspends Suspension

Folarin Balogun will be available for the USMNT when they face Belgium in the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

The 25-year-old striker had received a red card during the U.S. team's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, which would normally result in a one-game suspension under FIFA regulations. That ban, however, has been suspended, FIFA confirmed to The Athletic on Monday, July 6.

According to FIFA's statement, the suspension has been held in abeyance under Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code for a probationary period lasting one year. Should Balogun commit another infraction of comparable severity during that year, the suspension will be reinstated and the punishment enforced, along with any additional sanctions that may apply.

"In line with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement," FIFA stated.

Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code permits the judicial body to choose whether to suspend the implementation of disciplinary sanctions in full or in part, according to The Athletic.

The development drew a response from President Donald Trump, who posted: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

The scenario mirrors a previous case involving Cristiano Ronaldo, who escaped a match ban after FIFA imposed a three-match suspension with the final two matches suspended during a one-year probationary period.

Balogun has scored in every World Cup match the USMNT has played so far this tournament.