On Wednesday, 2026, U.S. soccer forward Folarin Balogun, who found himself at the center of controversy after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) suspended his ban for the North and Central America World Cup, admitted he anticipated the uproar.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Balogun revealed that initially, he was just thrilled to rejoin the team after the suspension was lifted. But it quickly dawned on him that this decision would spark a major debate.
He continued that he tried to buckle down and focus on the game, but given the unprecedented nature of the situation, it was nearly impossible to tune out the external noise.
As the United States men’s national soccer team’s (USMNT) star striker, Balogun had netted a crucial goal in the round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina, propelling the team into the round of 16.
However, his fortunes took a turn when he received a red card for stepping on an opponent’s ankle, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review in the same match.
Initially ruled out of the round of 16 showdown with Belgium, Balogun’s fate took a dramatic twist. After President Donald Trump intervened with a call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the governing body made the extraordinary decision to defer Balogun’s one-year suspension, clearing him to play.
Balogun recounted the moment that he was en route to the training ground, resigned to supporting his teammates from the sidelines. Then, on the team bus, he got the news that he could play. The whole squad erupted in cheers.
Despite Balogun’s unexpected return to the lineup, which stirred up debates about fairness, the U.S. team’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt end with a crushing 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16.
When pressed on whether the controversy surrounding his reinstatement affected the team’s performance, Balogun firmly rejected the notion. Sure, the poor result might lead people to draw that conclusion, he stated, but he can assure you, it completely compartmentalized the emotions from the game and gave it all.