FIFA overturns red card decision, Belgium's minister calls for rule consistency as fairness debate heats up

FIFA decided to wipe away a red card suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun just days before the US played Belgium in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. Belgium won the match 4-1 anyway, but the controversy isn’t going anywhere.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot didn’t mince words, saying that everyone must respect the same rules. His broader point: if external forces influenced FIFA’s disciplinary process, that’s not just bad optics. It’s a fundamental breach of sporting integrity.

What actually happened

Balogun picked up a straight red card in the 64th minute during the US team’s 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026. Under normal circumstances, a direct red card triggers an automatic one-match suspension. That would have sidelined Balogun for the round-of-16 clash against Belgium on July 6.

Instead, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, suspending the ban under a one-year probationary period. In English: Balogun got the football equivalent of a warning instead of actual punishment. He was free to play against Belgium.