Folarin Balogun is free to face Belgium in the World Cup last-16 after Fifa suspended his one-match ban for a probationary period of one year.
The 25-year-old striker received a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 last-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, co-hosts of the 2026 tournament.
The dismissal came in the 64th minute after Balogun’s boot landed on the back of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle during a tussle for a looping ball.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially played on but was directed to the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee before producing the red card.
Fifa confirmed the automatic suspension would be held in abeyance, citing article 27 of its disciplinary code in a formal statement released to the public.
“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,” Fifa said.
“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.”
US President Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, thanking Fifa for what he described as correcting a significant wrong done to the American side.
Trump, a friend of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been among the most prominent voices calling for the decision to be reviewed before Fifa announced its ruling.
Rubio had said at a news conference: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”
Balogun has been one of the standout performers at the tournament for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, scoring twice in a commanding 4-1 opening win against Paraguay.
The former Arsenal forward also broke the deadlock against Bosnia before his evening ended prematurely following the controversial VAR-assisted dismissal.
His availability is a significant boost for the United States, who will need their most dangerous attacker firing if they are to progress past Belgium in the last 16.
Fifa’s handling of red card bans has attracted attention throughout the tournament, with Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo seeing a one-match suspension extended to five matches for a foul that left Canada’s Ismael Kone with a broken leg.
