Balogun admits suspension controversy after playing US vs. Belgium

Folarin Balogun admitted he knew his suspension being lifted for the 2026 World Cup match against Belgium would be controversial. "My initial reaction was to be happy to be back with the team," the US forward said on CBS. "But when I started thinking about it, I knew that it was going to cause a lot of controversy. And I could almost see in my teammates a bit of nervousness, because it was something unique."

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My initial reaction was to be happy to be back with the team. But when I started thinking about it, I knew that it was going to cause a lot of controversy. And I could almost see in my teammates a bit of nervousness, because it was something unique.

Balogun was sent off in the round of 16 for stepping on an opponent's leg, a move he deemed unintentional and not worthy of a red card. FIFA's disciplinary committee commuted his suspension for the next match against Belgium to a conditional one-game ban with a one-year probation period, a decision that drew widespread criticism, particularly from the Belgian federation and UEFA.

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When a gesture is not intentional, it should never be a red card.

"I tried to concentrate as best I could as the match approached. But it was difficult, there was a lot of external noise and it's hard to avoid it," the 25-year-old added. Despite the external distractions, Balogun started in the knockout match, though his team ultimately lost 4-1 to Belgium.

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I tried to concentrate as best I could as the match approached. But it was difficult, there was a lot of external noise and it's hard to avoid it.