Belgium ‘surprised’ by FIFA’s U-turn on Balogun red card in USA game | World Cup 2026

The Belgian Football Federation (RBFA) said it was “surprised” by FIFA controversial decision suspended the one-red card ban for American player Folarin Balogun and is “doing everything possible” to preserve the integrity of the game.

The World Cup erupted into chaos on Sunday when FIFA overturned the red card awarded to Balogun ahead of the country’s clash with Belgium, a bombshell welcomed by US President Donald Trump but condemned by Belgian officials.

Recommended Articles

list of 4 itemsend of series

FIFA’s surprise decision means Balogun is now free to play for the USA against Belgium on Monday in Seattle, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “investigating everything possible” to “protect the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the principles governing our sport”.

“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, July 5 is now April 1, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” added Belgium coach Rudi Garcia at a press conference.

“A lot of our thoughts and feelings are in the release,” Garcia said.

“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football.”

Balogun was close to missing out on Monday’s last 16 clash with the Belgians after that receive a straight red card following video commentary by stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in the 32nd minute in which the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card only results in a one-match ban, which the player’s team cannot appeal.

But FIFA said on Sunday that the ban would be suspended for one year, in a surprise move that was not detailed.

It was the first time that a player with a red card was allowed to play in his team’s next game since the yellow and red card rules were introduced in the 1970 World Cup.

‘We are not bad people’

Top scorer Balogun has been key to USA’s progress in the tournament, scoring three times, and his absence against Belgium could have hurt the team in Seattle.

The stakes are high for the contenders, whose strong start to the tournament has raised hopes of a warm-up among the American public, and they are looking to make a run to the quarterfinals. The last time the USA reached this level was in 2002.

Balogun himself said on Friday that the red card ban was “something I just have to accept”.

However, the 25-year-old celebrated FIFA’s U-Turn with an Instagram photo of himself in a US team jersey with Michael Jackson’s Badass included as the soundtrack.

USA players and officials welcomed the news, which they received on their way to training on Sunday morning.

“I think a lot of us think it’s AI at first,” said defender Chris Richards. “I think we were very happy because we found out through the media; it was great. It was a lot of questions, but very happy and very happy.”

“It feels good,” Christian Pulisic said. “I’m very happy that he has this opportunity. To see the smile on his face and give us energy tomorrow is great.”

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said it was “a fair decision because it shouldn’t have been a red card”, calling the punishment “too big” for an accidental foul.

“It is not that we are suffering, but we are not bad, cruel people here,” he said.

FIFA decision ‘a little surprising’

In its statement, FIFA referred to “article 27 of the FIFA constitution”, which allows for suspensions “for a period of one year”.

Balogun will serve the banned job unless he commits another offense in the next year, it said.

There is a pattern of choice.

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo served a three-match ban for an elbow injury last year, but his two-match ban was suspended.

The move, which saw Ronaldo play in Portugal’s World Cup opener, drew criticism at the time.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said it was “amazing” that Balogun was cleared to play a day before the game.

“If it had been done earlier, we could have been better prepared mentally, maybe,” he said.

FIFA’s decision has caused a storm on social media, with mixed opinions on the suspension.

DR Congo footballer Yannick Bolasie expressed his disappointment saying that FIFA’s U-turn would have been very different had it happened in the Africa Cup of Nations.