FIFA World Cup 2026: Balogun opens up on controversial suspension reversal says "I was not involved"
Seattle, July 7
US's Folarin Balogun acknowledged the controversy surrounding the reversal of his ban, saying his team accepted both the original red-card decision and the later decision that allowed him to return to action, adding that he had no personal involvement in the process behind the u-turn.
FIFA has dismissed Belgium's challenge over the eligibility of Folarin Balogun after world football's governing body suspended the United States forward's one-match ban ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between the two sides.
Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the United States' 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Of course, it's controversial when the decision is overturned. We accepted the decision when I saw the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were told I could play," Balogun said as per ESPN.
"I was not involved in the process. It had nothing to do with me personally," he added.
However, Balogun's inclusion did not prevent the U.S. from slipping to a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
Coming to the match, Belgium stormed into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a commanding 4-1 victory over the hosts, the United States, at Seattle Stadium.
Charles De Ketelaere starred with a brace to earn the Player of the Match award, while Hans Vanaken scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time strike, marking his third consecutive World Cup match with a goal.
Belgium dominated much of the contest despite the USA briefly equalising through Malik Tillman's deflected free-kick. A costly goalkeeping error by Matt Freese allowed Belgium to extend their lead before Lukaku sealed the emphatic win late on.
The defeat ended the United States' campaign, making them the last of the three co-host nations to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico. Belgium will next face Spain in the quarter-finals on July 10 after the Spanish side knocked out Portugal in the Round of 16.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Look, Balogun says he wasn't involved and accepted both decisions. That's professional. But the real story here is Belgium - 4-1 against the hosts? Charles De Ketelaere is a baller! ⚽ We need players like that in Indian football. Our boys showed spirit in the Asian Cup, but world class is a different level.
Controversial decision or not, 4-1 loss at home is embarrassing! USA were supposed to be dark horses. But what do we know, we're still celebrating 4th place in the Asian Cup from 1964 😂. Lukaku with another World Cup goal - that man just delivers in big tournaments.
Welcome to FIFA - where rules are flexible for big teams. As an Indian fan, I feel for Belgium too. Their challenge was dismissed, which is unfair. But Balogun's honesty about non-involvement is refreshing. Pity the USA couldn't use his return to win. Spain vs Belgium next should be a cracker!
The real shame is how Belgium dominated. Hans Vanaken scoring his first World Cup goal at 32? Classy. And Romelu Lukaku - what a super sub! 🔥 Meanwhile our Indian Super League players dream of such stages. One day maybe we'll see more Indian talent in the World Cup. #FootballForIndia
Balogun handled this with grace - accepted the red card, accepted the reversal, and didn't claim credit or blame. More footballers should be like him. But that goalkeeping error by Matt Freese? Oof!
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