Belgium appeal against FIFA’s suspension of red card issued to Folarin Balogun

Belgium has formally appealed against FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun, less than 24 hours before the sides meet in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The appeal follows FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-game ban after the striker was sent off during the United States’ group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, making him eligible to face Belgium pending a final ruling.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 6, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it had no choice but to challenge the player’s eligibility. “No alternative but to challenge (Balogun’s) eligibility for the upcoming match.”

The Belgian federation said it first learned of FIFA’s decision through media reports before requesting an explanation from world football’s governing body regarding the process and regulations behind the move. According to the RBFA, FIFA treated its request for clarification as an appeal and gave the federation only a few hours to submit its case.

“As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.” The federation further argued that FIFA had failed to follow its own procedures.

“For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA’s own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant.” The RBFA said it had still not received the decision or any explanation from FIFA and therefore had no option but to challenge Balogun’s eligibility.

Sources familiar with the matter said both U.S. Soccer and the Belgian federation were instructed to submit their arguments to a member of FIFA’s Appeals Committee before Monday’s deadline. The case is being handled by an appeals judge with no affiliation to either UEFA or CONCACAF to avoid any conflict of interest. It remains unclear whether FIFA will issue a ruling before kick-off or whether Balogun will remain eligible to feature.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia questioned the handling of the case, saying the federation was defending the integrity of the sport. “The Belgian federation isn’t just defending itself or the national team; it’s defending football in general, its integrity and its ethics. As far as I recall, I think this is the first time in World Cup history that a decision like this has been made.”

The controversy has intensified following reports that Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino after Balogun’s dismissal. Trump later welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the ban, describing the original punishment as “a great injustice.”

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino defended FIFA’s decision, arguing that his team had already suffered the consequences of the red card during the match. “For me, there isn’t much debate here, though I do understand Belgium’s perspective and Rudi’s point of view. If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match?”

Balogun has been a key player for the United States during the tournament, scoring twice in the opening match against Paraguay before adding another goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina. As things stand, he remains eligible to feature against Belgium while FIFA considers the appeal.