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USA’s top scorer Folarin Balogun allowed to play against Belgium after FIFA suspends his 1-game ban
By Dorothy Sedovic at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 5, 2026
· 1 min read
(Gray News) - U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the team’s round of 16 match against Belgium.Balogun, 25, was given a red card for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the U.S. round of 32 game. The U.S. went on to win the game 2-0, de...
Key takeaway striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the team’s round of 16 match against Belgium.
Why this matters in The Odessa
For Odessa residents gathering to watch the US team take on Belgium, the news that Folarin Balogun will be allowed to play is a welcome boost. As a community that thrives on energy and competition, Odessans know how much a key player can impact a team's chances. With Balogun's three goals in the 2026 World Cup so far, his presence on the field could make all the difference in the team's bid to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in over two decades. Local sports bars and restaurants are likely to be packed with fans cheering on the US team, and Balogun's reinstatement will only add to the excitement. As the Permian Basin area comes together to support the US team, the community will be watching closely to see if Balogun can help lead the team to victory against Belgium.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa 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 CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) - U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the team’s round of 16 match against Belgium.Balogun, 25, was given a red card for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the U.S. round of 32 game. The U.S. went on to win the game 2-0, de...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dorothy Sedovic at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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