‘Amazed’: Belgium threaten drastic action after FIFA ‘unfair decision’ to strip Balogun for US clash despite red card

Belgium threatened action after Folarin Balogun was cleared by FIFA to face USA despite his red card suspension/ Picture: X The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has launched a formal protest against FIFA’s controversial decision to allow American striker Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s World Cup round of 16 match, arguing that the world governing body breached its own disciplinary rules by suspending enforcement of his automatic ban.The row comes just hours before Belgium take on the United States in Seattle for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Balogun was expected to miss the game after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 2. Instead, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to delay the suspension by one year, allowing the American striker to remain available for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

FIFA invokes Article 27 to delay Balogun’s suspension

Balogun was one of the standout players for the co-hosts during the tournament as the United States reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2002, contributing three goals and three assists.His sending-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina following a challenge on Tarik Muharemović initially prompted the standard one-match suspension that accompanies a straight red card. However, FIFA later announced that the sanction would not take effect immediately.

Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to Folarin Balogun of the United States, right, during the FIFA World Cup 32 match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In an official statement, the governing body said: “In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”FIFA further explained that if Balogun commits “another violation of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension will be lifted and the sanction applied without prejudice to any other sanction imposed for the new violation”.Under the ruling, Balogun remains eligible to face Belgium immediately, while the suspension remains effectively suspended unless he commits a comparable offense within the next twelve months.

Belgium claims FIFA broke its own rules

The decision provoked a strong reaction from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which issued a comprehensive statement expressing its surprise and questioning the legal basis for FIFA’s interpretation.“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is amazed by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match on Monday, July 6 at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time),” the statement began.The RBFA acknowledged FIFA’s reliance on Article 27, but argued that other provisions in the same disciplinary framework clearly state that a red card automatically results in a team being banned for the next match.“FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the execution of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.”The Belgian federation continued: “However, article 66.4 of the same FIFA disciplinary code clearly states that a red card (sent-off) automatically results in a team’s suspension for the next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”He also cited the competition rules of the tournament.“Additionally and notwithstanding the above, the decision is in direct contravention of the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations as set out in Article 10.5.”The Federation quoted the regulation in full:“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second warning), he will automatically be sent off from his team’s next match. In addition, additional sanctions may be imposed.”Belgium also pointed out that the same interpretation was reinforced before the tournament.“The automatic nature of such suspension was also expressly confirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating Member Associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule is reiterated at each FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is part of all FIFA World Cup 2026 Workshop presentationsAt the end of its statement, the RBFA warned that it was considering further action.“In order to protect the legitimate rights of all teams involved and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is examining all potential options.”

The political backlash adds another layer of controversy

The decision also drew political attention in the United States.President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision on Truth Social, writing: “Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”Before FIFA announced its decision, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned Balogun’s appeal while speaking to reporters at the White House.“They screwed up with that red card,” Rubio said. “There has to be an appeals process for that. It’s probably too late for that, isn’t it?”British journalist Ben Jacobs later reported that the White House had contacted FIFA and asked president Gianni Infantino to review the incident. According to Jacobs, FIFA argued that any outside influence was impossible because the decision rested solely with its independent disciplinary committee, which exercised the powers available under Article 27. FIFA sources echoed this position, saying that the disciplinary process was independent and that outside political involvement, including any communication from the White House, could not affect the outcome of the decision.

Quarterfinals next in Seattle

Unless FIFA unexpectedly changes its stance before kick-off, Balogun will be available when the United States face Belgium on July 7 in Seattle.For the Americans, his availability is a significant boost as they pursue their first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 2002. But for Belgium, the dispute has already become part of the build-up, with the country’s governing body insisting it will continue to explore all available options to challenge what it sees as an unprecedented self-interpretation of FIFA’s disciplinary rules.