Why Folarin Balogun still might not play against Belgium in the World Cup

Updated: 6 Jul 2026 13:23 BST | 6 min read

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One of the most controversial stories of the 2026 World Cup is set to run on and on as Folarin Balogun may not be able to feature in the United States' World Cup quarter-final against Belgium after all.

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In the USMNT's Round of 32 fixture versus Bosnia & Herzegovina on Thursday, the Monaco striker received a straight red card from the referee after his studs raked down the leg and ankle of Tarik Muharemović, with VAR intervening to ensure the dismissal.

It was viewed by many as a harsh red card, but suspension rules deemed that he would miss the next game against Belgium after the United States went on to defeat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0.

Remarkably, stories emerged over the weekend that Balogun's suspension had been overturned, which is unprecedented in World Cup history. FIFA lifted the suspension, citing "article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code" which allows them "to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure".

An explanation was not given, and it was subsequently confirmed that US President Donald Trump had personally intervened and called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that Balogun be allowed to play.

The Belgian FA responded in a statement saying they were "astonished" at the decision.

“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).

“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.

“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.

© IMAGO - Folarin Balogun will be available to play against Belgium

“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.

“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.”

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia added: “I didn't know the game was being played on April Fool's Day rather than July 6.”

Accusations of corruption were sent FIFA's way and the saga is far from over as the Belgian FA have been granted the right to appeal the decision.

The federation need to make their submission by 5am PT (1pm BST) on Monday, ahead of the game in Seattle, scheduled to kick-off at 5pm PT (1am BST). The Athletic reports that the organisation has been left baffled by the short timeline and are also considering a complaint to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It is possible that FIFA make a ruling before the game but Belgium have not been given any guarantees.

Fifa's u-turn on Folarin Balogun's suspension seems to have opened a can of worms...

Thomas Tuchel on whether England will be appealing Jarell Quansah's red card 🟥#FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jIKKq3zeSX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 6, 2026

FIFA set a dangerous precedent

FIFA has opened up can of worms with the Balogun decision as every team will now consider their options if a player is sent off, rightly or wrongly.

Following England's dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in which Jarell Quansah was sent off, Thomas Tuchel joked that captain Harry Kane could potentially ask Trump to overturn it.

The German then said:

"I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card. But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made. Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me."

"We just want to have consistency in the decisions," Tuchel explained. "So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice... We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for [Michael] Olise [against Paraguay] which was not a yellow card?

"Where does this end? I don't know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what's coming. Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that. Where does this end now? Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end?"

Blatter slams Infantino and Trump

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been hugely critical of Infantino's friendship with Trump and says the Balogun decision raises serious questions about political interference in football.

He posted on X:

"Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis [where are you going, in Latin], FIFA?

"Football must never become a playground for political power."

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