The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has issued a ruling against FIFA’s decision to allow United States player Folarin Balogun to play in the controversial FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, saying the world governing body violated its disciplinary rules by suspending his appointment.The dispute has come to light just hours before Belgium face the United States in Seattle, where a place in the World Cup quarter-finals is at stake. Balogun was expected to miss the game after receiving a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 2. Instead, FIFA invoked Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code to suspend the suspension for one year, allowing the American player to remain in Mauritinos Poche’s team.
FIFA will invoke Article 27 to delay Balogun’s suspension
Balogun has been one of the tournament’s best performers, contributing three goals and three assists as the United States reached the tournament for the first time since 2002.His sending-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a challenge on Tarik Muharemović, led to a one-match suspension accompanied by a red card. FIFA, however, later announced that the ban would not take effect immediately.
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to Folarin Balogun of the United States, right, during the 32nd World Cup soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
In a statement, the governing body said: “In accordance with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the imposition of a one-match suspension is a probationary period of one year.”FIFA also explained that if Balogun commits “another violation of a similar nature and gravity during the trial period, the suspension will be lifted and the penalty will be enforced without reference to the other penalty that will be imposed for the new violation.”Under the ruling, Balogun is still eligible to face Belgium immediately, while the ban remains in place unless he commits a similar offense within the next twelve months.
Belgium says that FIFA has violated its rules
The decision prompted a strong response from the Royal Belgian Football Association, which issued a lengthy statement expressing its shock and questioning the legal basis of FIFA’s interpretation.“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is he was surprised is FIFA’s decision that suspended United States player Folarin Balogun is eligible to play in the USA-Belgium match on Monday, July 6, 5:00 pm. (Seattle time),” the statement began.The RBFA accepted FIFA’s reliance on Article 27 but said that the provisions of the same directive ensure that a red card results in a suspension for the next match.“FIFA has based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This law states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed penalty.”The Belgian continued: “However, Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code makes it clear that a red card (sending off) results in a suspension for the next match, as has been the case with all previous red cards issued at this FIFA World Cup.It also mentioned the rules of the competition.“Furthermore, notwithstanding the above, this decision is in direct conflict with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5.”The agency cited the law in full:“If a player or team official is sent off for a direct or indirect red card (second warning), then they will be suspended from their team’s next match. In addition, other sanctions may be imposed.”Belgium said that the same interpretation was also recommended before the competition.“This suspension was also confirmed in detail in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating organizations on May 12, 2026. The same rule is repeated at each FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting before each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 presentations.”At the end of his speech, the RBFA warned that it was considering other options.“In order to protect the legal rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play at our FIFA World Cup and in future tournaments, the RBFA is investigating all possible actions.”
Political activity is adding to the conflict
The decision has also sparked political interest in the United States.President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision on Social Truth, writing: “Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing and ending a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”Before FIFA announced its decision, the Secretary of State of America Marco Rubio questioned the removal of Balogun during a press conference at the White House.“He was disappointed with the red card,” Rubio said. “There should be a complaint process for this.British journalist Ben Jacobs later reported that the White House had contacted FIFA and asked that President Gianni Infantino review the incident. According to Jacobs, FIFA maintained that any foreign influence could not take place because the decision depended only on its independent committee that uses the powers available under Article 27. FIFA sources reiterated this, saying that the punishment is independent and that foreign political interference, including any communication from the White House, cannot affect the outcome of the decision.
A quarter-final spot on the line in Seattle
Unless FIFA makes an unexpected change to the starting lineup, Balogun will be available when the United States face Belgium on July 7 in Seattle.For the Americans, his presence gives a big boost as they chase their first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 2002. However, in Belgium, the dispute has already become part of the reconstruction, with the country’s governing body insisting that it will continue to explore every avenue available to challenge what it believes is an unspeakable interpretation of FIFA rules that have punished themselves.