Balogun saga rattles 2026 World Cup as FIFA lifts ban and Belgium appeal | OneFootball

FIFA has lifted Folarin Balogun’s suspension on a one-year probation, clearing the United States and Monaco striker to face Belgium in the last 16 at 02:00 in France. The move has sparked widespread criticism and a Belgian appeal.

Balogun scored then was sent off after a VAR review in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32, triggering an automatic one-match ban. On Sunday night FIFA suspended the sanction. According to the New York Times, the White House intervened, and Donald Trump said he contacted Gianni Infantino to prompt a review.

Belgium’s federation lodged an appeal on Monday morning to FIFA. It later complained that a request for explanations was converted into an appeal and immediately ruled inadmissible, adding it had received neither the decision nor any reasoning and would contest the player’s eligibility.

FIFA has cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows a disciplinary measure to be suspended in whole or in part with a probation period of one to four years. No further justification has been provided.

Trump thanked FIFA. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia was sarcastic, Norway’s Stale Solbakken called the ruling very poor, and Jürgen Klopp said Trump and Infantino should not meddle in football.

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed the outcome and urged a focus on the match.

Source: L'Équipe