Belgium FA ‘Astonished’ by FIFA's Folarin Balogun Red Card Ruling

The Royal Belgian Football Association has said it is astonished by FIFA’s decision to let Folarin Balogun play for the United States in their World Cup clash with Belgium.

Balogun was set to miss the last-16 tie after his red card in the USA’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. But FIFA has now suspended his automatic one-match ban, meaning the striker is free to face Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

Belgium have now gone public with their concerns, questioning how FIFA’s decision lines up with its own disciplinary code and the World Cup regulations.

In a statement, the RBFA said: “The Royal Belgian Football Association 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 Belgian FA accepts that FIFA used Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which lets the committee suspend a previously imposed ban.

But Belgium argue that another part of the same code says a World Cup red card should always mean a ban for the next match.

The RBFA pointed to Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which it says “clearly provides that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match.”

The Belgian association also claimed that this has been “the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”

Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, states “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 RBFA also pointed out that FIFA reminded all teams of the automatic suspension rule in a circular sent out in May, and that the same message is repeated at match meetings and workshops throughout the tournament.

Belgium ended their statement by saying they are now considering what action to take.

“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,” it said.

While Belgium haven’t confirmed a formal appeal, it’s clear they are not letting the decision pass without challenge.

Balogun’s availability is a big boost for the USA. He’s been one of their main attacking threats at this World Cup as the country’s top scorer, and without him, Mauricio Pochettino would have had to rethink his forward line against one of Europe’s strongest teams.

The bigger question now is about consistency. FIFA has already shown some flexibility with bans at this World Cup, most notably with Cristiano Ronaldo’s qualifying suspension, and other players have also benefited from changes to how bans carry into the finals.

Balogun’s situation is different because his red card happened during the tournament itself. Belgium have put that distinction at the centre of their argument: if the rules say a red card means an automatic ban, they want to know why the USA striker is being treated differently.

For now, FIFA’s decision stands. Balogun is eligible, the USA can pick him, and Belgium are preparing to face him. But the RBFA’s statement has turned the build-up into a disciplinary row as well as a knockout tie.