Previewing USMNT vs. Belgium following FIFA’s shocking decision

The GIST: Every minute brings us closer to tonight’s USMNT Round of 16 tilt against Belgium at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Can the Stars and Stripes vanquish the Red Devils, or will history repeat itself? So nervous and so ready at the same time.

🤯 In a shocking move, FIFA will allow U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite the red card — and associated one-game ban — he earned in last week’s 2–0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reactions are predictably mixed: Many agreed that Balogun’s red card was the wrong call, but FIFA invoking the now-infamous article 27 has led to a lot of questions.

• The Belgium Football Association was understandably frustrated, as they have almost no time to adjust their tactics before tonight — not to mention the alleged presidential interference. Controversial is an understatement.

⚽ Politcal maneuvers aside, the USMNT is about to face their toughest opponent so far. This Belgium squad is not as sensational as the team that eliminated the U.S. in 2014, but they still have remnants of their golden generation, namely midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and forward Romelu Lukaku.

• On top of their goal-scoring pedigree, Belgium showed they are never truly out of a game in their Round of 32 win over Senegal, where they pulled off an astonishing comeback capped off by the latest goal in WC history. Cheeky little devils.

🌶️ However you feel about it, the Balogun decision adds a new level of spice to this game. If the USMNT wants to make the quarter-finals for the third time ever, they need to come out on the front foot. Early goals have been a hallmark of the Yanks’ success this WC, and our midfield has the speed and prowess to exploit a lackluster Belgian defense. LFG.