Colin Cowherd believes the rest of the world is scared of U.S. Soccer and that's why the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card has sparked so much controversy.
FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun's red card suspension was being overturned. He will be eligible to play in Monday night's contest against Belgium. A spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is on the line.
"USA striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the co-host’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday at Seattle Stadium. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued an update on Sunday on the status of the 25-year-old New York-born attacker, who has three goals for the Stars & Stripes at these global finals," FIFA announced.
© Phil Noble-Reuters via Imagn Images.
UEFA, including Belgium, is not happy.
"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition," UEFA said. "Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It 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."
"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws," the statement continued. "A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.
"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
Cowherd claps back at U.S. Soccer haters
Cowherd believes that part of the reason for the pushback on the decision is because the rest of the world is starting to fear U.S. Soccer.
We're legitimate threats, he says.
"Part of the reaction by Belgium and the global soccer community is: We are now a legitimate threat... The uncomfortable truth is that we're really good. You can just watch."
Kickoff on Monday night is set for 8 p.m. E.T.
