Belgian FA 'Disputes FIFA Decision to Reinstate Folarin Balogun for Belgium vs USA

FIFA Lifts Balogun's red card ban before USA clash 

FIFA reinstated Balogun using Article 27, clearing him to play against Belgium. The KBVB disputed the decision 'to safeguard the legitimate rights of all teams'.

FIFA overturns Balogun suspension hours before Belgium last-16 tie...

The Royal Belgian Football Association, the KBVB, has responded to FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s ban, saying it was left ‘astonished’.

USA forward Folarin Balogun was sent off during the 2-0 round of 32 victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Balogun had scored his third goal of the tournament in the win, but was dismissed in the second half after a challenge that saw him catch Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic on the ankle.

FIFA surprised many on Sunday by overturning Balogun’s suspension, clearing him to play in the round-of-16 match against host nation Belgium. In response, the Belgian FA released a statement on its website questioning the ruling.

“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. (Seattle time),” the statement reads.

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. 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.”

This isn’t the first time FIFA has reversed a red card during a World Cup. Brazil’s Garrincha also had his suspension lifted midway through the 1962 tournament.

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia responded to the decision, saying: “didn't know the game was played on April Fool's Day rather than July 6th.”

RBFA Statement Regarding Folarin Balogunhttps://t.co/GlLQpSx2SS pic.twitter.com/xA3kMvn0U0

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 5, 2026

KBVB Cites FIFA Rules in Pushback Over Balogun Decision

The KBVB said it is contesting the ruling in line with FIFA regulations, stating the move is needed 'to safeguard the legitimate rights of all teams'.

"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.”

The Belgian FA is investigating whether or not it can take further steps in the matter: “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.”

The New York Times reported that the White House called FIFA “to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.”