The last 24 hours have been crazy for Folarin Balogun, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), and Belgium. After FIFA explained their decision to overturn Balogun’s red-card suspension for the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Belgium were left astonished by the sudden change of heart, with Rudi Garcia blasting FIFA for overturning the ban. Still, one question remains: will Balogun play against Belgium?
That was the million-dollar question. Considering how Christian Pulisic defended FIFA’s decision before USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino celebrated the overturning of Balogun’s ban, it looked like the United States would gladly include their newly eligible striker—and leading goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup—among the starters for the game against Belgium. And that they did. Balogun will be playing from the start for the USMNT against Belgium.
In doing so, however, the Americans may only bring more trouble upon the issue. The Stars and Stripes had been warned by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) that the Red Devils wouldn’t stand idle if Balogun so much as stepped onto the pitch.
“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of [Balogun], should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet,” the Belgium soccer association’s statement read.
All eyes are on Folarin Balogun, #20 of the United States.
USA are starting Balogun, regardless
Apparently, the warning was not enough to scare the USMNT. Especially when considering the great lengths they had gone to, as U.S. President Donald Trump admitted he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino over Balogun’s red card.
Infantino denied Trump’s call had any influence on FIFA’s decision, but count the Belgians among the skeptics. Gearing up for the elimination game between the USMNT and Belgium in Seattle (Lumen Field), both sides are well aware of what’s at stake. The Americans know what will happen if the USMNT wins, ties, or loses against Belgium, but it could all be in between question marks as Balogun will plays, and Belgium will contest that decision.
Belgium made it clear they won’t accept the legitimacy of the game if Balogun, who was shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is allowed to play. Still, Pochettino and the USMNT aren’t letting the opportunity slip through their fingers. They were given the green light by soccer’s governing body, so why would they stop in their tracks?
Even if they risk Belgium taking legal action after the game, the Americans likely feel they have a much better chance of winning with Balogun on the pitch. And after watching FIFA make an extraordinary decision to benefit them, the Stars and Stripes might feel untouchable. Who’s to say Belgium will have any success in their claim against Balogun’s eligibility anyways?
USA’s confirmed lineup vs Belgium
All things considered, the USMNT is playing with house money, and it might have made little sense not to start Balogun against Belgium. Morality may have to be cast aside when survival in the biggest tournament in soccer is on the line.
Thus, the USMNT will put together the following starting XI to face Belgium at Seattle Stadium: Matt Freese (GK); Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream (C), Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie; Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun.
The USA will roll out the exact same lineup that defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, and all thanks to the most shocking decision in the 2026 World Cup. After all, the USA is chasing a historic World Cup result in 2026.
Belgium’s lineup vs. USA
As for Belgium, Rudi Garcia made up his mind about the starting XI to face the USA. The Red Devils had actually spent more time worrying about the USA’s lineup—and whether Balogun would play—than their own formation for this major challenge, one that has only intensified with the bad blood between the two sides.
This is how Belgium will look: Thibaut Courtois (GK); Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxim De Cuyper; Youri Tielemans (C), Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana; Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard.
De Ketelaere is expected to start at the No. 9 position, meaning Romelu Lukaku won’t be in the starting lineup for Belgium against the USA, despite scoring in each of his team’s last two outings, including the crucial goal that sparked the comeback against Senegal in the Round of 16. In more shocking decisions, Kevin De Bruyne isn’t starting for Belgium, and neither is Jeremy Doku, who will be a substitute against the United States.
Perhaps the Red Devils are playing an alternative lineup because they plan on making a formal appeal to FIFA after the game, regardless of the final score.
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