The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has launched a formal challenge to FIFA’s controversial decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match, arguing that the world governing body contravened its own disciplinary regulations by suspending the enforcement of his automatic ban.The dispute arose hours before Belgium take on the United States in Seattle, where a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup is at stake. 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. However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to postpone the suspension for a year, allowing the American forward to remain available for Mauri Pochettino’s side.
FIFA invoked Article 27 to delay Balogun’s suspension
Balogun was one of the standout performers for the co-hosts during the tournament, contributing three goals and three assists as the United States reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2002.His dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, after a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, initially resulted in the standard one-match suspension that came with a straight red card. FIFA, however, later announced that the punishment would not take immediate effect.
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to Folarin Balogun of the United States, right, 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)
In an official statement, the governing body said: “According to Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the enforcement of the match suspension is suspended for a trial period of one year.”FIFA further explained that if Balogun commits “another violation of a similar nature and gravity during the trial period, the suspension shall be revoked and the penalty shall be enforced without prejudice to any additional penalty imposed for the new violation.”Under the decision, Balogun remains eligible to face Belgium immediately, while the suspension will effectively remain unless he commits a similar offense within the next twelve months.
Belgium argued that FIFA was contradicting its own regulations
The decision prompted a strong response from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which released a lengthy statement expressing its surprise and questioning the legal basis for FIFA’s interpretation.“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, 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 of the same disciplinary framework clearly establish that a red card automatically results in suspension for the team’s next match.“FIFA based 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 continues. “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 with all previous red cards issued in this FIFA World Cup.”It also cites the competition regulations of the tournament.“Furthermore, and regardless of the aforementioned, the decision directly contradicts the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which are set out in Article 10.5.”The federation cited the regulation in its entirety.“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 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 is also clearly confirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The same rule was repeated at each FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting before each match and included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.”Concluding its statement, the RBFA warned that it was considering further action.“To protect the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, in this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating 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 what is right and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”Before FIFA announced its decision, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned Balogun’s expulsion while speaking to reporters at the White House.“They got screwed with the red card,” Rubio said. “There should be an appeals process for that. It’s probably too late for that, right?”British journalist Ben Jacobs later reported that the White House had contacted FIFA requesting that President Gianni Infantino investigate the incident. According to Jacobs, FIFA maintains that any outside influence is impossible because the decision relies solely on the independent disciplinary committee that uses the powers available under Article 27. FIFA sources reiterated this position, saying that the disciplinary process is independent and that the involvement of outside politics, including any communication from the White House, cannot influence the outcome of the decision.
The quarter-final spot is on the line in Seattle
Unless FIFA unexpectedly reverses its position before kickoff, Balogun will be available when the United States meets Belgium on July 7 in Seattle.For the Americans, his presence provides a significant boost as they chase their first quarter-final appearance at the World Cup since 2002. For Belgium, however, the controversy has become part of the build-up, with the country’s governing body insisting it will continue to explore every available avenue to challenge what it believes is an unprecedented interpretation of FIFA’s own rules.