The Belgian FA has issued an angry response after FIFA made what it described as an “astonishing” call to suspend the one-match World Cup ban given to United States striker Folarin Balogun.
FIFA confirmed the ruling on Sunday, handing a significant lift to the USMNT ahead of Monday’s round-of-16 clash with Belgium in Seattle, with Balogun now cleared to take part.
The decision quickly drew reaction in the United States, with President Donald Trump among those welcoming the move. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!”
While Trump and large numbers of American supporters celebrated Balogun’s availability, the reaction from Belgium was sharply different, with officials making clear their frustration at FIFA’s intervention.
In a statement released soon after the announcement, the Belgian FA said: “The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m.
“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 enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.
FIFA has suspended the one-match ban issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun
Balogun, who was sent off for this challenge, is now eligible to face Belgium on Monday
The Belgian FA released a furious statement lamenting FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban
‘However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.
‘Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: “If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”
‘The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed 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 every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.
‘In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams 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 investigating all potential options.’
Pascale Van Damme, the Belgian FA president who is a member of the Fifa Council, is understood to have flown in to Seattle on Sunday amid ongoing discussions on the matter.
FIFA are yet to respond to the Belgian FA’s statement.
Balogun, 25, was sent off during the USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Though it initially appeared to be a fairly innocuous tackle, replays showed that the striker did appear to scrape his cleats down his rival’s leg. However, the decision still sparked widespread fury online, with many fans calling to overturn the suspension.
US President Donald Trump was among those to praise FIFA ‘for doing what was right’
It serves as a massive boost to USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of Monday’s game
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pictured alongside Donald Trump last month
On Sunday morning, their wish was granted after FIFA confirmed the suspension.
In their own statement, FIFA said: ‘In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
‘If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.’
In response, the USMNT said: ‘We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.
‘Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.’
The Daily Mail understands that the USMNT were informed about the decision on Sunday morning, before Balogun was told at a team meeting shortly afterwards.
Balogun broke his silence on his initial red card in the days that followed the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting that he felt a yellow card would’ve been fair.
‘First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I’m sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There’s not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it’s happened, and it’s something that I have to accept and move forward from.’
