World Cup 2026: Belgium granted appeal after FIFA reversed USMNT's Folarin Balogun one-game ban after red card

The USMNT received seemingly good news Sunday, when FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension after he received a red card during the team’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But that decision could be temporary. Belgium was granted an appeal by FIFA over the decision, which may be heard just hours before the USMNT and Belgium square off in the Round of 16 on Monday, according to The Athletic. With the appeal granted, both U.S. Soccer and the Belgian federation were asked to send in submissions to FIFA by 5 a.m. PT. That decision has reportedly frustrated Belgium, per The Athletic, as FIFA did not make its Balogun decision public. Once those submissions are in, a member of the FIFA appeals committee will hear the case. The member of the FIFA appeals committee selected to hear the case will not be someone associated with FIFA, the UEFA or CONCACAF, per The Athletic. Though the submission deadline was aggressive, FIFA has not guaranteed a ruling will be made prior to Monday’s game, per The Athletic. This story will be updated.