parks
Balogun starts for US against Belgium after suspension lifted following call by Trump to FIFA
By Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
Folarin Balogun is in the United States' starting lineup for Monday's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that sparked an uproar across the sport.Balogun’s red card was assessed by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping ...
Key takeaway Balogun’s red card was assessed by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s ankle last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio soccer fans are likely to be divided in their reaction to the news that Folarin Balogun's suspension was lifted, allowing him to play in the US match against Belgium. The decision, which came after a phone call from President Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has sparked controversy and accusations of unfair influence. Locally, fans who gather to watch World Cup matches at San Antonio's parks and public viewing areas will be discussing the implications of this decision and how it may impact the outcome of the tournament. With the US team seeking to advance to the semifinals, San Antonio residents will be watching closely to see how the team performs, and whether the reinstatement of Balogun will give them an edge against their opponents. The city's soccer community will be eager to see if the US can build on their success and make a deep run in the tournament.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Folarin Balogun is in the United States' starting lineup for Monday's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that sparked an uproar across the sport.Balogun’s red card was assessed by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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