Belgium files official appeal against FIFA’s decision to clear Balogun for World Cup clash

The Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB) has released a strongly worded statement questioning FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 match between the United States and Belgium. According to the KBVB, FIFA has failed to provide any substantiated explanation for lifting the automatic suspension that Balogun, a U.S. forward, should have faced after receiving a red card earlier in the tournament. The Belgian federation claims that during the pre-match coordination meeting, FIFA deliberately omitted the section covering automatic player suspensions — a segment that had been mandatory in all four previous World Cup fixtures. “When we asked FIFA for a copy of the decision and clarification on the procedure, we received only a letter stating that our request had been treated as an appeal. An adjudicator was appointed and we were given just hours to finalize it — but no information on the substance of the case was ever provided,” the statement reads. The KBVB points to Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, Article 10.5 of the 2026 World Cup regulations, and FIFA Circular No. 16 of May 12, 2026, all of which mandate an automatic ban following a red card. The association vowed to continue defending the principles of fair play and the rights of all tournament participants, regardless of the outcome of the match itself.