Balogun and U.S.-Belgium match, Ronaldo bows out
After FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match red card suspension, paving the way for the team’s top scorer to play, the USA played in the Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium.
Balogun was first given a red card for fouling during the USA’s 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA overturned the decision. Belgium objected, but FIFA rejected the protest as unacceptable; UEFA criticized the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unfair”.
The decision attracted further attention after President Donald Trump defended his call for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s red card, raising questions about whether political pressure played a role in the decision.
Separately, Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the World Cup ended as Mikel Merino came up late to send his country into the quarter-finals following Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain.
USA vs Belgium
United States forward Folarin Balogun warms up before the World Cup Round of 16 qualifying match between the United States and Belgium at Lumen Field on Monday, July 6, 2026 in Seattle, WA.
Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
Timothy Castagne #21, Brandon Mechele #4 and Belgian players emerge from the tunnel before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match.
Maja Hitij – Fifa | FIFA | Getty Images
USA fans hold banners in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium.
Carl Recine | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to Folarin Balogun #20 of the USA for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic #4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
Charlotte Wilson | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Portugal – Spain
Spain’s No. 6 player Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Alex Slitz | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo reacted after the goal scored by Spanish Mikel Merino in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium.
European Press Sports | European Press | Getty Images
