Balogun cleared as Belgium fume ahead of USA's Round of 16 clash

Balogun is free to play Belgium

Folarin Balogun will be on the pitch Monday. FIFA lifted his red card suspension, clearing your striker for the Round of 16 clash against Belgium (3) (5). The decision arrived Sunday, and the reaction from the Belgian camp was immediate and furious.

Belgium boss: 'April Fool's Day'

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia did not hold back. "I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup the fifth of July is now the first of April, and it's April Fool's Day," he said (2) (4). The Belgian FA put out a formal statement calling the reversal astonishing. Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, whose foul drew the original red, is also back from suspension after a similar FIFA review (2).

Trump thanks FIFA

President Donald Trump weighed in Sunday. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what wa, " he posted, acknowledging the governing body's decision on Balogun (2) (6). The political dimension has only added heat to an already tense buildup.

USA vs. Belgium, Monday in San Francisco

Your team faces Belgium on Monday in the Round of 16 in San Francisco (1). Pochettino's side enters the knockout stage with momentum. Jürgen Klopp called this the best USMNT lineup in the country's history. Sportsbooks are feeling the pressure too, with analysts noting each US win puts bookmakers at greater risk (1).

Fan reactions

The mood online is a mix of relief and mischief. US fans are celebrating what many are calling justice for Balogun, with one thread simply titled "Justice for Balogun!!" link. The Belgian FA statement has drawn widespread attention on r/soccer, where the image of their formal protest is making the rounds link.