Folarin Balogun says he knew FIFA decision to lift red card suspension would "cause a lot of controversy"

Key Points:

• U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun expressed mixed feelings about FIFA's decision to lift his red card suspension for the match against Belgium, acknowledging the controversy it caused but focusing on his return to the team.
• Balogun received a red card during the World Cup knockout stage against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which initially led to a suspension for the next game, but FIFA later overturned the ban after a review that included a call from President Trump.
• Despite the initial setback of being down a player, the U.S. won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking their first World Cup knockout round victory since 2002, and Balogun highlighted the team's role in uniting U.S. fans and inspiring young players.
• The U.S. was defeated 4-1 by Belgium in the round of 16, but Balogun emphasized that the team remained focused and separated emotions from their performance despite the surrounding controversy.
• Looking ahead, Balogun expressed his commitment to continue representing the U.S. in future World Cups, signaling his ongoing dedication to the national team.