Folarin Balogun looks set to be available for the United States when they face Belgium in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 tie in Seattle on Monday, after his one-match ban was suspended through a FIFA disciplinary code provision.

The Monaco striker was shown a straight red card during the USA's Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the incident on the VAR monitor. Balogun was penalised for a foul on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, a decision that initially appeared to rule him out of Monday's round of 16 fixture.

The FIFA loophole that changed everything

Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code grants judicial bodies the power to fully or partially suspend a disciplinary measure. Under that provision, Balogun's one-game ban has been suspended, leaving him free to feature against Belgium — provided he commits no further similar infringement during a probationary period.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a comparable reprieve at this tournament, receiving a three-match ban from FIFA but with the final two matches suspended under a one-year probation period.

Pochettino's key man back in contention

The development is a significant relief for USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had publicly disputed the red card after the Bosnia game.