DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic reiterated his hope Monday to remain with the Denver Nuggets for the rest of his career. His plan, though, is to hold off on signing his contract extension until next summer.
The three-time NBA MVP spoke to reporters after helping Serbia to a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina during a FIBA World Cup qualifying game in Belgrade, Serbia. Jokic finished with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He then reaffirmed his desire to remain in the Mile High City.
By waiting until next summer, Jokic can sign a five-year supermax contract that would be worth around $350 million.
The 31-year-old Jokic is coming off a season in which he made All-NBA for an eighth time. He averaged 27.7 points, a league-best 12.9 rebounds and a league-best 10.7 assists as he finished runner-up in the MVP voting to Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jokic and the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota. After another early round exit, Jokic said: “I still want to be (with the) Nuggets forever.”
It's been a quiet offseason so far for the Nuggets. A big decision facing the team is what to do about Peyton Watson, the high-flying guard/forward who will command a lucrative contract to remain in town.
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Serbia's Nikola Jokic reacts during their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers match between Serbia and Bosnia, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia's Nikola Jokic reacts during their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers match between Serbia and Bosnia, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia's Nikola Jokic tries to score as Bosnia's Luka Garza blocks him during their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers match between Serbia and Bosnia, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
SEATTLE (AP) — Folarin Balogun was in the United States' starting lineup for Monday's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that sparked an uproar across the sport.
Balogun’s red card was assessed by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s ankle last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
“To have all the players available always is a good news,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said during a pregame interview on the television broadcast. “To have the possibility to have Balo again with us and being available is important for the team. ... He scored three goals and I think he is doing a fantastic job.”
Following a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended the discipline for a year on Sunday, prompting the European governing body UEFA to call the decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
Belgium's attempt to have FIFA reinstate the suspension was denied by FIFA's appeals committee, which said the Belgian federation lacked standing.
Belgium fans chanted “FIFA Mafia” during their pregame march to Lumen Field.
Infantino said he did not play a role in the decision by the disciplinary committee, which also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The FIFA president was in attendance for the match, watching from a suite with Pascale Van Damme, chair of the Belgian Football Association, and Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the USSF.
The U.S. started an unchanged lineup, while Belgium dropped Jérémy Doku and Kevin DeBruyne, who began on the bench along with Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils also left out Artur Teatre and Hans Vanaken, while inserting Dodi Lukébakio, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin and Nathan Ngoy.
Balogun's three goals lead the U.S., which has never won consecutive knockout-round games at the World Cup. Belgium eliminated the Americans in the 2014 round of 16.
The U.S.-Belgium winner faces Spain on Friday at Inglewood, California, for a semifinal berth against France or Morocco. The U.S. last reached the quarterfinals in 2002, when it was knocked out by Germany. The Americans advanced to the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930.
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) moves the ball against Belgium's Timothy Castagne (21) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) looks on before the start of the the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) reacts after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) attends a training session ahead of their World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Belgium in Seattle, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
