Belgium’s soccer federation says it is exploring all legal options after FIFA unexpectedly ruled that U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is eligible to play in Monday’s World Cup match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous round.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and argued that it contradicts the governing body’s own disciplinary and World Cup competition rules.
The United States and Belgium are scheduled to meet on Monday in Seattle for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Belgium Questions FIFA’s Decision
In a statement, the RBFA said FIFA relied on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows the governing body to suspend enforcement of certain disciplinary sanctions.
However, the Belgian federation argued that Article 66.4 of the same disciplinary code clearly states that a player sent off with a red card is automatically suspended for the team’s next match.
The federation also cited Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which states:
“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.”
According to the RBFA, the automatic suspension rule was also reiterated in FIFA World Cup Circular No. 16 distributed to participating nations before the tournament.
“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 federation said.
Federation Says FIFA Provided No Explanation
Belgium said it learned of Balogun’s reinstatement through media reports before requesting a copy of FIFA’s decision and an explanation of the process.
According to the RBFA, FIFA instead informed the federation that its inquiry would be treated as an appeal and gave Belgium only a few hours to complete the process.
The federation said it still has not received the written decision or any explanation supporting FIFA’s ruling.
The RBFA also claimed FIFA removed discussion of automatic player suspensions from the pre-match coordination meeting, despite the topic being included before each of Belgium’s previous World Cup matches.
“To be clear, as of this moment, the RBFA has still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter,” the federation said. “It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”
Belgium Coach Calls Decision An “April Fools'” Joke
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia criticized FIFA’s decision during a news conference.
“I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April [April Fools’ Day] at FIFA,” Garcia said, The Guardian reported.
He said Belgium’s federation was defending more than its own team.
“The federation does not defend itself, it does not defend the national team — it defends football in general. It defends its integrity. It defends its ethics.”
Courtois Focused On Match
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois acknowledged the timing of FIFA’s decision was surprising but said the team’s focus remains on the match.
“Of course it surprises you a bit, especially because it’s the day before the game,” Courtois said, per The Guardian.
“He’s a good player, but we have to win against the whole of America. For us as a group of players, we are going to do our thing on the field.”
Criticism Extends Beyond Belgium
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken also criticized FIFA’s ruling following his team’s victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.
“It is a big mistake by FIFA,” Solbakken said, according to The Guardian. “He got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. That means you are suspended for one game.”
Solbakken warned the decision could cast doubt over the tournament if the United States advances.
“If the USA beat Belgium, they will always have that extra thing about it,” he said. “It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup and the United States.”
FIFA has not publicly explained why Balogun’s automatic suspension was lifted.
