Belgium stunned as FIFA overturns Folarin Balogun suspension, RBFA to review options | OneFootball

The Royal Belgian Football Association said in a Sunday statement that it was stunned by FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension for the World Cup last 16, questioned the application of the regulations, and is reviewing all potential options to safeguard the legitimate rights of participating teams and protect fair play.

The United States are due to face Belgium in the last 16, with kick-off at 2am between Monday and Tuesday. Balogun had been shown a straight red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.

The decision was based on article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which permits its disciplinary committee to suspend the execution of a previously imposed sanction.

Article 66.4 of the same code states that a red card brings an automatic suspension for a team’s next match, which would make Balogun ineligible for the last 16 under that provision.

The same stipulation appears in the World Cup Regulations and was reaffirmed in Circular no. 16 for the FIFA World Cup 2026, distributed to participating associations on 12 May 2026.

Source: L'Équipe