The Royal Belgian Football Association has issued a clear statement expressing surprise over FIFA’s choice to lift Folarin Balogun’s suspension. Balogun, the United States striker, received a red card during the USA’s round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup. That red card normally would have kept him out of Monday’s round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
In its official response, the Belgian federation said it was “astonished” by the decision. The group pointed to FIFA’s own rules. Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code states that a red card leads to an automatic one game ban for the next match. The World Cup competition regulations also back this automatic suspension. Belgium noted that FIFA used Article 27 to suspend the ban instead. The association added that it is now looking at all possible options to address the situation.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also spoke about the ruling. He compared the timing to an April Fools joke and stressed that the team is defending the sport itself, not just one match.
This decision matters to Belgium for several reasons. The round of 16 game is a high stakes knockout match. Balogun is a key forward for the United States with speed and finishing ability. Allowing him to play changes the balance of the contest. Belgium prepared its game plan around facing the USA without one of its main attackers. The sudden change creates questions about fairness and consistent rule application across all teams.
The Belgian federation sees this as more than one game. It touches on how FIFA handles disciplinary matters during the tournament. Any shift in these rules can affect future matches and the overall trust in the competition’s standards. Belgium wants clear and equal treatment for every team involved in the World Cup.