A disputed decision
FIFA announced on Thursday that it will not suspend Folarin Balogun despite the red card he received during the group stage, allowing the United States forward to feature in the knockout match against Belgium.
Balogun, who leads the American scoring chart with three goals, has been a pivotal figure in the team's run to the Round of 16, but his dismissal sparked debate over the interpretation of the tournament's disciplinary rules.
The controversy was amplified by a Bosnian Football account that argued the United States should be expelled from the competition, citing alleged government interference in the sport.
FIFA's statutes, particularly Article 15 which bans governmental meddling, were cited by the governing body to justify its stance, while Article 2, which promotes the global development of football, was invoked to underline the importance of preserving tournament integrity.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticized the decision, suggesting that the organization's handling of the incident could set a problematic precedent.
UEFA also issued a strongly worded statement, condemning the perceived leniency and warning that such leniency might undermine confidence in the competition's fairness.
The United States will now face Belgium in a crucial encounter that could determine the trajectory of both teams' campaigns.