Folarin Balogun’s inclusion in the U.S. men’s national team lineup for their round of 16 match against Belgium has ignited debate, with FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas suggesting the decision could cast the U.S. squad as underdogs in the eyes of the global soccer community. The striker, who scored the decisive goal in a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was initially suspended for one game after a red card was issued during the match. However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee reversed the decision late Sunday, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code. “If you’ve got a problem with it, take it up with FIFA,” Lalas stated, emphasizing the narrow window for teams to adapt strategies.
While Lalas welcomed the reversal, he acknowledged potential backlash: “It’s now USA vs. the world. Any benefit of the doubt is gone—this is special treatment, but we don’t care. Us against everyone, that’s fine.”
The ruling came under scrutiny due to its timing, announced just one day before the knockout stage. Standard protocols indicated the red card should not have been reviewed by VAR, as referee Raphael Claus had not flagged Balogun during the live play. U.S. Soccer’s direct appeal bypassed typical procedures, allowing the probation clause to be applied. Former Belgium assistant coach Thierry Henry criticized the decision, stating it disrupted Belgian preparations. “That must have broken their spirit because you prepare for a specific lineup, then suddenly change everything,” Henry remarked.
Lalas agreed with Henry’s concerns but prioritized U.S. competitiveness: “They’ll have to adjust, but Mauricio Pochettino won’t care. We need all our attackers—Balogun is a star, and removing him would be a big miss.”