Belgium Challenges FIFA Over Balogun Eligibility

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has challenged FIFA’s decision to allow United States forward Folarin Balogun to play despite his red card, describing the ruling as “astonishing” and saying it is examining all available options.

In a statement, the RBFA said it was surprised by FIFA’s decision to declare Balogun eligible for the United States’ FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium in Seattle.

The Belgian federation noted that FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

However, the RBFA argued that the same disciplinary code contains provisions requiring an automatic suspension following a red card.

It specifically cited Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which it said provides that a sending-off automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match. The federation also pointed to Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which states that any player or team official sent off by a direct red card or a second caution is automatically suspended for the following match.

According to the RBFA, the same principle was reiterated in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, distributed to participating member associations on May 12, 2026, and repeated during pre-match coordination meetings and tournament workshops.

The Belgian federation said it is reviewing all possible avenues to protect what it described as the legitimate rights of participating teams and the principles of fair play.

“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,” the statement said.