The Call Came Down
FIFA finally flipped the switch—Folarin Balogun’s suspension is lifted, and he’s cleared to start for the USMNT against Belgium tomorrow. No more legal limbo, no more waiting. The kid’s in.
What the Hell Happened?
Dan Wolken’s column lays it out: Was this corruption, a favor, or just FIFA finally doing the right thing? Doesn’t matter now. The U.S. got what it wanted—Balogun in the lineup—and they’re not sending it back. The Athletic broke the news first, Yahoo confirmed it, and the USMNT’s front office can finally exhale.
The Sharp Edge
Look, FIFA’s reputation is a dumpster fire, but this time they didn’t burn the U.S. The suspension was always shaky—Balogun’s paperwork was in order, the rules were murky, and the timing stunk. If this was a favor, it was a quiet one. Either way, the USMNT doesn’t care. They’ve got their striker, and Belgium’s defense is on notice.
Bottom Line
No apologies needed. The U.S. played the game, FIFA blinked, and now Balogun gets his shot. If he delivers, no one remembers the drama. If he flops, well, at least the paperwork was right.