New York, July 20 (IANS) This was a World Cup that looked different from the outset. FIFA had already committed to an expanded 48-team format before it even chose a host, and when the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won that vote in 2018, the 2026 World Cup became the first to be staged in three countries. Football’s governing body later confirmed three other changes: an automatic red card for players who cover their mouths, mandatory hydration breaks in every match, and the …
Latest Folarin Balogun News & Updates
New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) USA striker Folarin Balogun issued an apology to fans after his team’s humiliating FIFA World Cup exit, saying the team was not at its best when it mattered the most. Balogun into the international spotlight when set to serve a one-match suspension after receiving a red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the Round of 32 victory before US president Donald Trump’s intervention helped get his ban overturned so he was able to play against Bel…
Madrid, July 7 (IANS) La Liga president Javier Tebas has become the latest football administrator to criticise FIFA over its decision to suspend the one-match World Cup ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, describing the episode as “the tip of the iceberg” of what he called a governance model that has steadily eroded the credibility of world football.Balogun was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic duri…
New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) After eliminating co-host USA from the FIFA World Cup, the victorious Belgian team clapped back at the Folarin Balogun red-card drama with a savage two-word social media post. Ahead of the round-of-16 tie against the USA, football’s global governing body suspended the one-match ban imposed on US striker Folarin Balogun, which he got after receiving a red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the round of 32 victory. The ruling drew strong cr…
Seattle, July 7 (IANS) Charles De Ketelaere’s first-half brace, Hans Vanaken’s first World Cup goal and a late strike from substitute Romelu Lukaku send Belgiium through to the quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over co-hosts USA at Seattle Stadium. USA became the final co-hosts to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico had already bowed out in the Round of 16.Belgium has not lost a match since March 20, 2025, a 3-1 defeat against Ukraine in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relega…
Seattle, July 7 (IANS) FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump had called him regarding the disciplinary case involving the U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, but stressed that the decision to suspend the enforcement of the player’s one-match ban was made independently by FIFA’s judicial bodies. Balogun was sent off for stamping on defender Tarik Muharemovic during the U.S. 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32 on July 1.Last Sunday, t…
Nyon, July 6 (IANS) European football’s governing body UEFA launched a scathing attack on FIFA on Monday after world football’s governing body suspended the one-match World Cup ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the move a threat to the integrity of the sport.The surprising decision allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium. It received a lot of criticism from UEFA, coaches, of…
Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) A lopsided rivalry, but for one big exception — the USA and Belgium have met seven times, and the record is almost entirely one-sided in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.Belgium have won six of them, with the USA’s only victory coming all the way back in the very first World Cup ever played, a 3-0 win in 1930. Their last World Cup meeting was the heartbreaker: a 2-1 extra-time loss in the 2014 Round of 16, remembered as much for Tim Howard’s tournament-record 15 …
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The USA’s leading FIFA World Cup 2026 goalscorer Folarin Balogun will be available for selection in Tuesday’s Round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-game ban. The forward was previously set to serve a one-match suspension after receiving a red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the Round of 32 victory.USA Soccer said the development is a result of FIFA’s implementation of article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,…
San Francisco, July 2 (IANS) The co-host USA relied on goals late in each half to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 here at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium to enter the Round of 36 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.The co-hosts dig deep and hold on against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman were with the goals, and a red card to Balogun left the USA down a man with 30 minutes to play, but they survived to set up a Round of 16 date with Belgium.The win against Bosnia and Herzegovin…