The Royal Belgian Football Association said Sunday it is “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to let USA striker Folarin Balogun play in Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 match, and is “investigating all potential options.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said in a statement that the ruling contradicts FIFA’s own rules. It pointed to Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 10.5 of the World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which state a red card “automatically” results in a one-game suspension.
The automatic ban was reaffirmed in a May 12 FIFA circular and repeated at pre-match coordination meetings, the RBFA said. The statement said the rule had applied to every previous red card at this tournament.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled Sunday that under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, Balogun’s ban is suspended for a one-year probationary period. Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the USA’s 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
President Donald Trump welcomed the ruling on Truth Social.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” — President Donald Trump, on Truth Social
The USA is chasing its first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002. The teams last met at the tournament in 2014, when Belgium won 2-1 in extra time despite a record 16 saves by USA goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The teams meet Monday at 5 p.m. Seattle time at Seattle Stadium.
This is a developing story and Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.
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