Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States (center) reacts to receiving a red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia.
Belgium “astonished” by FIFA suspending US striker’s World Cup red card
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The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has publicly expressed astonishment at FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup. .
The American forward received a red card during the USA’s round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge that was reviewed and upheld by VAR.
Balogun is now eligible to participate in the round-of-16 matchup against Belgium scheduled for Monday, in Seattle.
The Belgian FA said it was “astonished” by the decision, adding it is “investigating all potential options”.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the enforcement of the sanction for a probationary period of one year.
This unprecedented move effectively overrides the standard automatic suspension that follows a red card, as stipulated in Article 66.4 and reinforced in the World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations.
Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident, adding a layer of geopolitical scrutiny to the governing body’s ruling.
The RBFA issued a detailed statement highlighting inconsistencies with established rules.
It noted that red cards have consistently resulted in automatic suspensions throughout the tournament and emphasized that the decision contradicts both the Disciplinary Code and specific World Cup regulations distributed to all teams.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia reacted sharply, comparing the timing of the announcement to an April Fools’ joke and underscoring the federation’s role in defending football’s principles rather than solely national interests.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and other Belgian officials maintained composed demeanors during press interactions, but the ruling has sparked widespread debate over consistency in refereeing and disciplinary application.
Balogun, who leads the US team with three goals in the tournament, was initially expected to miss the high-stakes clash.
His availability strengthens the American attack significantly ahead of a challenging encounter against a talented Belgian side.
