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Folarin Balogun cleared to play against Belgium after one-game ban suspended by FIFA
By Wayne Sterling at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 5, 2026
· 3 min read
In a stunning twist ahead of the World Cup Round of 16, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has confirmed that United States mens national team striker Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play against Belgium on Monday in Seattle.The 25-year-old forward was facing an automatic one-match suspension fo...
Key takeaway The 25-year-old forward was facing an automatic one-match suspension following a straight red card during the USMNTs 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension has significant implications for Detroit 's soccer fans, many of whom have been following the USMNT's progress in the World Cup. With Balogun eligible to play against Belgium, local supporters can look forward to watching him take the field, bringing his high-pressing attack to the match. As the top scorer for the USMNT in the tournament, Balogun's presence is crucial to the team's success, and his reinstatement is a welcome relief for fans in the Detroit area. The city's diverse community, with a strong presence of international soccer enthusiasts, will likely be glued to their screens as the USMNT takes on Belgium, cheering on Balogun and the rest of the team as they vie for a spot in the next round. The match against Belgium will be a highly anticipated event in Detroit's sports scene.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In a stunning twist ahead of the World Cup Round of 16, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has confirmed that United States mens national team striker Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play against Belgium on Monday in Seattle.The 25-year-old forward was facing an automatic one-match suspension fo...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Wayne Sterling at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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