Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium in stunning World Cup twist

SEATTLE — In an extraordinary development on the eve of the U.S. men’s national team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium, Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension has been suspended, per multiple reports.

FIFA appears to be using the same precedent that allowed them to table Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension at the tournament. Article 27 of its disciplinary code gives FIFA the right to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

Just a couple days ago, US Soccer had confirmed it would be a one-game suspension for Balogun, as automatically triggered by the red card, which carries no right to appeal.

Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4), resulting in a red card. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Balogun was sent off after scraping his boot across Bosnian defender Tarik Muhamerovic’s ankle while battling for the ball. The red card was highly controversial, as the play looked much worse in slow motion than in real time, and there didn’t seem to be another place for Balogun to put his foot.

How the USMNT would deal with losing the star striker against Belgium was one of the biggest questions leading into the match.

Now it seems to have been answered with manna from heaven.