BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

FIFA has taken the extraordinary step of suspending the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, making him eligible for the Americans’ FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter against Belgium.

According to Reuters, the decision followed a telephone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during which the American leader reportedly requested a review of the player’s dismissal.

Balogun, who scored his third goal of the tournament during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was sent off in the second half after a VAR review adjudged him to have planted his boot on the ankle of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

The dismissal sparked immediate controversy, with U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisting that the incident did not warrant a red card.

While FIFA has not overturned the red card itself, the world football governing body announced that the resulting suspension would not take immediate effect.

“In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

The statement added that should Balogun commit a similar offence during the probationary period, the suspension would be reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary measures.

Reuters reported that FIFA’s judicial body possesses discretionary powers to suspend the implementation of disciplinary sanctions either fully or partially.

Reacting to the decision, President Trump described Balogun’s reinstatement as the correction of “a great injustice.”

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, according to Reuters.

The White House also celebrated the ruling with a social media post proclaiming: “USA-USA-USA.”

U.S. Soccer welcomed the decision, while members of the American squad said they only became aware of the development through social media as they travelled to training ahead of the Belgium encounter in Seattle.

“We found out about it just coming over here,” forward Christian Pulisic told reporters, according to Reuters. “At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this is great news’.”

The decision has, however, provoked a strong reaction in Belgium.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and is examining all available options.

In a statement cited by Reuters, the RBFA argued that FIFA’s reliance on Article 27 appeared inconsistent with other provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the tournament regulations.

The Belgian federation pointed to Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code, which states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as well as Article 10.5 of the World Cup regulations, which similarly mandates an automatic suspension following a sending-off.

“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup,” the RBFA said, according to Reuters.

The federation added that FIFA’s decision appeared to contradict the tournament’s own regulations governing player suspensions.

The Reuters report noted that FIFA has previously exercised discretion in disciplinary cases. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to participate in the opening matches of a World Cup campaign after part of a suspension incurred during qualifying was suspended.

Similarly, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match suspension following a red-card offence that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during a World Cup match.

One of the most famous precedents dates back to the 1962 FIFA World Cup, when Brazilian legend Garrincha was sent off in the semi-final but later cleared to play in the final following a successful appeal supported by Chilean President Jorge Alessandri and local fans. Garrincha subsequently helped Brazil defeat Czechoslovakia 3-1 to retain the World Cup title.

The Balogun ruling is nevertheless expected to remain one of the most debated disciplinary decisions in World Cup history as the United States prepares for its high-stakes knockout clash against Belgium.

 

 

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Watching the World Cup and hearing the music in the stadium may have left you wondering — how is that chosen? Is it just coincidence that “Wonderwall” plays after England matches? Are “Freed from Desire” or “Livin’ on a Prayer” always played? And why?

The songs are not random. Hundreds — more than 750, in fact, according ​to soccer governing body FIFA — are chosen in advance. FIFA has a “Stadium Entertainment Team” that works with the participating national associations to create playlists ‌that mix stadium classics with country-specific favourites.

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J – Argentina v Austria – Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. – June 22, 2026 Argentina and Austria fans during the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jerome Miron/File Photo

Each team has a “signature” song played when the line-up is announced, a warm-up song, and a track that is played if they score a goal. And one set of fans after each game gets to sing along to the post-match winning-team tune.

The playlists give an interesting cultural snapshot of the World Cup, in which 48 teams participated for the first time in ​2026.

Some tracks — such as The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and, yes, 1990s Eurodance hit “Freed from Desire” by Gala, which has been doing the rounds of ​sports stadiums for at least a decade — have global reach, appearing on more than one list.

Songs like this that become popular have ⁠certain things in common. They need to be catchy, fun, and recognisable, said Andrew Lawn, British author of “We Lose Every Week: The History of Football Chanting.”

The context is also ​key, he added.

“They become associated with a moment if that moment is successful,” he said. “Then they stick because that kind of emotion gets kind of attached to the song.”

Neil Diamond’s “Sweet ​Caroline” is an example of that, he said. Long popular with different sets of sporting fans, it caught on with England supporters in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the lyrics about “touchin’ hands, reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you” took on a particular resonance after months of isolation and lockdowns.

MARIACHI TO MEN AT WORK

Other songs are country-specific.

Argentina, for instance, have chosen Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ “El Matador” (literally, “the ​killer”) as their warm-up and goal song. The track, with its chorus of “Matador! Matador!” may sound like it’s celebrating the deadly goal skills of Lionel Messi.

But the reggae-influenced song ​is really much darker — it’s about the Latin American dictatorships and state violence of the 1970s.

DopeNation’s irresistible 2025 dance track “Kakalika” is both the signature and goal tune for Ghana. The Ghanaian duo ‌behind it ⁠have described it as a blend of national and global music styles and languages that is intended to embrace diversity and encourage listeners to enjoy themselves.

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group L – Croatia v Ghana – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. – June 27, 2026 Ghana fans react after Derrick Luckassen scored their first goal REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo 

 

Mexico have chosen three different tracks by Mariachi Vargas, a mariachi folk band that was founded in 1897, has passed through several generations, and is still going strong today, and South Korea opted for a selection of K-Pop tracks by the likes of Blackpink and BTS.

When Kylian Mbappe gets a goal for France — again — supporters can sing along to French electronic duo Daft Punk’s lyrically appropriate “One ​More Time”. Australia’s signature tune is Men ​At Work’s classic “Down Under,” while Belgium’s warm-up ⁠is techno anthem “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic.

Sometimes the choice of song evolves over the tournament in response to fan reactions. Oasis’ “Wonderwall” has become a regular fixture after its success following England’s first World Cup 2026 match — a 4-2 victory over Croatia — when supporters ​sang along.

It was one of his favourite ever moments in an England shirt, connecting the team with the fans, captain Harry Kane ​told in-house show Lions’ ⁠Den.

“We have that connection right now, but that moment, singing ‘Wonderwall’ in the stadium — everyone knew the words — was really special,” he said.

Similarly, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has quickly become a favourite for a U.S. supporters’ base that had faced criticism online for their somewhat unimaginative “USA! USA!” chant.

The lack of a distinctive chant is a reflection of a more commercial and ⁠dispersed sporting ​culture, and for now the adoption of the Denver song — as enjoyable as it is — perhaps feels a ​bit artificial, said Lawn.

“All of kind of American soccer culture feels a bit forced at the moment” because it’s still relatively new, he said.

“(But) if it sticks around, it will be a lovely example, and in ​30 years if it’s still being sung then you’ll really have the kind of feeling that it’s authentic.”

-Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16

Venue: Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City
Stage: Round of 16
Historical Context: England return to the iconic Mexico City Stadium for the first time in four decades to face hosts Mexico in a high-stakes clash for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

Mexico and England meet in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time, renewing a rivalry that dates back to the 1966 tournament. The only previous World Cup encounter between the nations saw England record a 2-0 group-stage victory at Wembley Stadium through goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt en route to lifting the trophy on home soil.

Road To The Round Of 16

Co-hosts Mexico have been one of the tournament’s standout performers. Javier Aguirre’s side remain the only team in the competition yet to concede a goal after defeating Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32 at Mexico City Stadium.

First-half strikes from Julián Quiñones and veteran striker Raúl Jiménez secured victory and extended El Tri’s winning run to five consecutive World Cup matches—the longest streak in the nation’s history at the tournament.

Mexico topped Group A with victories over South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia, all achieved on home soil.

England, meanwhile, were pushed hard by DR Congo before securing a 2-1 comeback victory in Atlanta. Captain Harry Kane struck twice late in the contest to rescue the Three Lions after they had fallen behind.

Thomas Tuchel’s men topped Group L with seven points, having defeated Croatia 4-2 and Panama 2-0 before a goalless draw against Ghana.

Head-To-Head

Previous FIFA World Cup Meetings

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A
Mexico	1	0	0	1	0	2
England	1	1	0	0	2	0

Only World Cup Meeting

• July 16, 1966: England 2-0 Mexico
  • Bobby Charlton (37′)
  • Roger Hunt (75′)

Overall International Meetings

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A
Mexico	10	2	1	7	4	27
England	10	7	1	2	27	4

Last Meeting

• May 24, 2010: England 3-1 Mexico (Friendly, Wembley Stadium)

Key Facts

Mexico

• Seeking to equal their best-ever World Cup performance by reaching the quarter-finals.
• Have only previously reached the last eight in 1970 and 1986, both tournaments hosted by Mexico.
• Unbeaten in their last nine World Cup matches on home soil, winning seven and drawing two.
• Have kept clean sheets in each of their last seven World Cup matches played at home.
• Have won their last five World Cup matches, the longest winning streak in their history.
• Have yet to concede a goal at FIFA World Cup 2026.
• Could become only the second team in World Cup history to begin a tournament with five straight wins without conceding, after Italy in 1990.
• Have scored eight goals at the current tournament, matching their highest-ever tally at a single World Cup, set in 1998.
• Have not conceded a first-half goal in any of their last 15 World Cup matches.

England

• Unbeaten in seven World Cup matches against Concacaf opposition since a 1-0 defeat to the United States in 1950.
• Have never previously faced a Concacaf team in a World Cup knockout match.
• Have lost only one of their last nine World Cup fixtures.
• Have won six of their last eight Round-of-16 matches at the tournament.
• Seeking a place in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup.

Players To Watch

Julián Quiñones (México)

The in-form forward has scored in three of Mexico’s four matches and has become only the second Mexican player to score three goals at a single World Cup, joining Luis Hernández, who netted four times in France 1998.

Harry Kane (England)

England’s captain continues to deliver on the biggest stage. His brace against DR Congo took his World Cup tally to 13 goals in just 15 appearances. Seven of those goals have come in his last six World Cup matches.

Familiar Faces

• Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez spent five years in English football with Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Fulham in 2023.
• Jiménez has enjoyed notable success against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, scoring against him multiple times in Premier League competition.
• Mexico captain Edson Álvarez previously played in the Premier League for West Ham United.
• Mexico coach Javier Aguirre featured in Mexico’s 1-0 victory over England in Mexico City in 1985, playing the full match.

The Stakes

For Mexico, victory would equal the nation’s greatest World Cup achievement by reaching the quarter-finals for only the third time and the first time since hosting the tournament in 1986. For England, the challenge is to halt the hosts’ remarkable defensive record and continue their quest for a second World Cup title.

With Mexico carrying the hopes of a football-mad nation and England seeking to build on their strong tournament pedigree, Mexico City Stadium is set to stage one of the most eagerly anticipated Round of 16 encounters of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

 

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