The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has launched a formal challenge to FIFA’s controversial decision to allow US striker Folarin Balogun to participate in Monday’s FIFA World Cup round of 16, arguing that FIFA breached its own disciplinary rules by suspending his automatic ban.The dispute comes just hours before Belgium take on the United States in Seattle, with a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake. On July 2, during the US team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, Balogun was sent off with a direct red card at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. He was originally expected to miss the game. Instead, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to postpone the ban for a year, allowing the American striker to continue playing for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
FIFA invokes Article 27 to postpone Balogun’s ban
Balogun was one of the tournament’s standout performers, contributing three goals and three assists to help the United States advance to the knockout stages for the first time since 2002.He was sent off for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic against Bosnia and Herzegovina, initially triggering a standard one-match suspension and a straight red card. However, FIFA later announced that the sanctions would not take effect immediately.
Brazilian referee Rafael Krause shows U.S. player Folarin Balogun (right) a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
“In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the imposition of a suspension of play is suspended for one year,” the governing body said in an official statement.FIFA further explained that if Balogun “commits another violation of a similar nature and gravity during the probation period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanctions imposed, without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for new violations.”According to the ruling, Balogun remains eligible to face Belgium immediately, while the ban effectively remains in place unless he commits a similar offense within the next twelve months.
Belgium believes FIFA violated its own rules
The decision prompted a strong reaction from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which issued a lengthy statement expressing surprise and questioning the legal basis of FIFA’s explanation.“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) Surprised FIFA has decided to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible for the United States vs. Belgium game 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 articles within the same disciplinary framework clearly stated that a red card would automatically result in a suspension for the team’s next match.“FIFA’s decision is based on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This article provides that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the implementation of previously imposed disciplinary sanctions.”The Belgian FA continued: “However, Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly states that a red card (sent-off) will automatically result in a suspension for the team’s next match, as will all red cards issued during this World Cup.”It also cited the tournament’s competition rules.“Furthermore, whatever the circumstances above, this decision is in direct contradiction to Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Rules.”The federation quoted the full text of the regulation:“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second warning), they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent matches. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”Belgium also noted that the same explanation was reinforced ahead of the World Cup.“FIFA World Cup 2026 Notice No. 1 also clearly reiterates the automatic nature of this suspension. 16, which will be distributed to all participating member associations on May 12, 2026. The same rules are reiterated at every FIFA 2026 World Cup Match Coordination meeting before each match and are included in all FIFA 2026 World Cup seminar presentations. “The RBFA concluded its statement by warning that further action was being considered.“To safeguard the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this World Cup and at future events, the RBFA is investigating all possible options.”
Political reaction adds another layer to controversy
The ruling also attracted attention from U.S. political circles.President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision on the Truth Society, writing: “Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a huge injustice! President Donald J. Trump.”Before FIFA announced its ruling, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio questioned Balogun’s dismissal in an interview with reporters at the White House.“They were screwed by that red card,” Rubio said. “There needs to be an appeals process for this. It’s probably too late now, right?”British journalist Ben Jacobs later reported that the White House had contacted FIFA to ask president Gianni Infantino to review the incident. According to Jacobs, FIFA insists that any outside influence is impossible as the decision is entirely dependent on the exercise of its independent disciplinary committee’s powers under Article 27. FIFA sources reiterated this position, noting that the disciplinary process is independent and that external political involvement, including any communication from the White House, cannot influence the outcome of the ruling.
Competing for a quarterfinal spot in Seattle
Unless FIFA unexpectedly changes its stance before kickoff, Balogun will be available when the United States faces Belgium on July 7 in Seattle.For the United States, his arrival provides a huge boost as they reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. However, the controversy has become part of a growing trend for Belgium, with the country’s governing body insisting it will continue to review all available avenues to challenge what it sees as an unprecedented interpretation of FIFA’s own disciplinary rules.
