Flo is back on the field

Red card reversed.

It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours for Team USA after FIFA’s last-minute decision to allow star striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite his one-game suspension in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Unheard of? Not quite.

Is it right? Depends on whom you ask.

• Soccer editor Seth Vertelney writes: Folarin Balogun is suddenly back for the USA. FIFA's decision stinks | Opinion
• “It’s fair, the decision, not to punish more us because I think it was enough," said USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. "And now we focus on the game."

Belgium’s manager effectively called it an April Fools prank, and the Belgian soccer federation has been granted the right to appeal the decision. A ruling is possible before the game is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET, but Belgium hasn't received any guarantees.

How did this happen?

We don’t know the exact inner workings of the controversial decision, but we do know this: President Donald Trump (winner of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, mind you) lobbied FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to review the red card.

"That wasn’t a foul," Trump said this morning, ahead of the match.

It’s Alex, it’s "Extra Time," and this is … a lot.

Schedule

• Portugal vs Spain at 3 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. Our predictions.
• USA vs Belgium at 8 p.m. ET at Lumen Field. Our predictions.

Did you see this? (USMNT edition)

• Is the USA favored over Belgium in World Cup round of 16 match?
• USA projected lineup vs. Belgium with Folarin Balogun's suspension reversed.
• USA to wear blue jerseys in World Cup round of 16 clash vs Belgium. See their kits.
• What stands between USA and the World Cup final? Breaking down a possible path.

What happened yesterday:

• Chaos in Estadio Azteca! Mexico vs England may have very well been the best World Cup match so far in a 3-2 thriller that had everything.
• Norway’s Erling Haaland is chasing that golden boot after a 2-1 upset against Brazil in the round of 16, sending the Vikings to their first-ever World Cup quarterfinals.

Tuesday is the last set of round of 16 matches. Where has the time gone?!

See you tomorrow,

Alex