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Home/Blog/White House lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun suspension for World Cup game v Belgium
World Cup NewsJuly 5, 2026· 1 min read

White House lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun suspension for World Cup game v Belgium

<ul><li><p>US striker was shown red in last-32 match</p></li><li><p>Fifa announced suspension of ban earlier on Sunday</p></li><li><p>Belgian FA ‘astonished’ by decision</p></li></ul><p>The White House lobbied Fifa to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red c

  • US striker was shown red in last-32 match

  • Fifa announced suspension of ban earlier on Sunday

  • Belgian FA ‘astonished’ by decision

The White House lobbied Fifa to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card received in the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Guardian understands, resulting in Sunday’s stunning announcement that he would be available for the cohosts’ last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.

The decision gives the US a huge boost on the field as they attempt to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. Balogun has been a constant threa

📰 Source: The Guardian  ·  Read the full article →

Tags:FIFA 2026World CupautoThe Guardian

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