Belgium accuses FIFA of contradicting its own rules after Balogun red card suspension lifted

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) issued a formal statement on Sunday condemning FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension, clearing the United States striker to feature in the two nations’ FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match at Seattle Stadium on Monday, 6 July.

Belgium’s governing body described itself as “astonished” by the ruling, arguing that Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code explicitly states that a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban — a rule it says has been applied consistently to every other red card issued at this tournament.

The RBFA also pointed to Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which states that any player sent off via a direct or indirect red card will be automatically suspended for their team’s next match, with the possibility of further sanctions. Belgium noted that this regulation is repeated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting and features in all official 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,” the statement read.

The association stopped short of specifying what action it intends to take, but the language signals that a formal appeal or protest to FIFA could follow before Monday’s 5:00 p.m. local kickoff in Seattle.

The dispute places FIFA in an uncomfortable position ahead of a high-profile knockout tie, with Belgium publicly alleging that the governing body has contradicted its own written regulations to reinstate a player who would otherwise have been ineligible.