The United States’ run in the 2026 World Cup has come to a close after a 4-1 loss to Belgium on Monday.

The loss comes after the U.S. men’s national team’s star striker, Folarin Balogun, was deemed eligible to play in the match after his one-game suspension from a red card was put on hold by FIFA.

Belgium will go on to face Spain in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday.

Balogun was given a red card during the July 1 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina after the U.S. player clashed with an opposing player’s foot in the second half. The penalty automatically landed Balogun a one-game suspension. FIFA told ABC News at the time that the call was final and not able to be overturned or appealed.

United States’ Folarin Balogun battles for the ball with Belgium’s Brandon Mechele during their World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, July 6, 2026.
Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
FIFA said on Sunday that “the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”

The football governing body added that if Balogun “commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) kicks during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, on July 1, 2026.
Martin Meissner/AP Photo
Ahead of Monday night’s game, the U.S. men’s national team confirmed that Balogun will be in the starting lineup.

The Royal Belgium Football Association (RBFA) released a statement Sunday that said in part that it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun to play in Monday’s match against them.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the RBFA statement further said.

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What to know about US soccer star Folarin Balogun’s 1-game red card suspension, why team can’t appeal

European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, said in a statement on Monday that a red card suspension is “a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.”

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” UEFA said.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters after last week’s match, which the U.S. won 2-0, that Balogun was “sad” and “disappointed” about the call and that the clash was not intentional, according to ESPN.

The USMNT’s victory was their first in the World Cup round of 32 since 2002 and only their second knockout round victory in program history.

The American men’s best result at the World Cup was a third-place finish at the inaugural tournament all the way in 1930.

United States’ Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, on July 1, 2026.
Martin Meissner/AP Photo
The U.S. team has been impressive in the 2026 tournament so far, finishing the group stage with a 2-1 record, with wins over Paraguay and Australia before a loss to Turkey, which occurred once the team had already secured a spot in the next round.

Belgium, meanwhile, finished at the top of their group with one win and two draws and advanced from the round of 32 with a 3-2 win over Senegal.