World Cup 2026: USMNT reacts after FIFA's stunning Folarin Balogun reversal — 'A lot of us thought it was AI'

FIFA made a stunning last-minute reversal to clear USMNT leading scorer Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, a decision announced on July 5, 2026. The U.S. team had been preparing for the match without Balogun, forcing them to quickly adjust their plans after the unexpected ruling. Players reacted with disbelief to the sudden news, with some joking that they initially thought the announcement was AI-generated.