Mauricio Pochettino named Folarin Balogun in the starting lineup for Team USA in their round of 16 match with Belgium at the FIFA World Cup on Monday in Seattle.
Balogun was initially set to miss the game after receiving a red card following a VAR review in the USMNT’s round of 16 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, on Sunday FIFA suspended Balogun’s red card, instead placing him on a year’s probation and giving him the opportunity to face Belgium.
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Pochettino selected Balogun in his starting XI on Monday, naming the same lineup the USA fielded in their previous win as the Americans looked to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
For Belgium, coach Rudi Garcia surprisingly left star players Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne out of his starting line-up. The two played a prominent role during the World Cup in Belgium, with the exception of one game, which Doku missed due to the birth of his son.
The drama surrounding Balogun and his red card has dominated World Cup headlines over the past 48 hours.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump confirmed reports the previous day that he had contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to seek details of the suspension and whether the decision could be reconsidered.
The Belgian federation and European football governing body UEFA were among the most vocal critics of the decision to suspend Balogun’s suspension and allow him to play.
“The Royal Belgian Football Association is surprised by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended US player Folarin Balogun eligible to compete in the US-Belgium match on Monday 6 July at 5:00 pm (Seattle time),” the Belgian FA said in a statement on Sunday.
On Monday, Infantino issued a statement defending the decision of FIFA’s independent commission.
“The FIFA judiciary is independent,” Infantino said in a statement. “They act autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code and decide cases based on the applicable rules and the specific facts before them. Their independence is important to the integrity and integrity of football and this must always be respected.”
After the news broke on Sunday, Pochettino spoke about how the situation had unfolded over the past few days and said he was not involved as he was focused on preparing the team for the game against Belgium.
“I had no part in it,” Pochettino said. “I’m focused on preparing the team for the match against Belgium, working in different areas, trying to focus and play tomorrow with the best players, in the best shape.”
Balogun scored Team USA’s first goal in the 45th minute of a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday. But he was then sent off in the 64th minute for what was deemed a serious challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovich.
On Friday, Balogun said he believed the decision was unfair given that he and Muharemovich were competing for the position.
In November, FIFA postponed the final two games due to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match ban for his red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play at the start of the World Cup.
In April, Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi and Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo had their one-game suspensions suspended for red cards in qualifying matches, which also allowed them to be available for the opening World Cup matches.
The Brazilian Garrincha was excluded from the 1962 semi-finals, but under political pressure he was allowed to play in the final against Chile.
The United States is seeking to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ESPN writer Jeff Carlisle also contributed.