Marco Rubio Supports FIFA's Decision to Lift Balogun's Suspension Ahead of World Cup Clash

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed FIFA's decision to revoke the red card against striker Flo Balogun, emphasizing the importance of both teams competing at full strength in the upcoming World Cup match against Belgium. The Belgian Football Association expressed surprise at FIFA's ruling, claiming a lack of justification for the decision. This development follows intervention from President Trump, who urged FIFA to reassess Balogun's one-match suspension. As the teams prepare for their clash, the focus remains on ensuring a fair competition.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 05:44 IST

Rubio's Take on Balogun's Suspension

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised FIFA's choice to revoke the red card issued to U.S. striker Flo Balogun, calling it a "correct decision." He emphasized that teams prefer to face their opponents at full strength, ensuring that any victory is not overshadowed by the absence of key players.

FIFA has rejected Belgium's appeal regarding Balogun's eligibility after the governing body lifted the one-match ban on the U.S. forward, just before the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.

Details of the Incident

Balogun received a red card during the 64th minute of the U.S. team's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

Rubio's Comments on the Decision

"It was an incorrect decision to issue the red card to Flo. Such reviews should be conducted in real-time rather than in slow motion. I believe reversing it was the right move. If Belgium wins, they should do so against a fully equipped U.S. team to avoid any debates about the legitimacy of their victory," Rubio stated alongside Chile's Foreign Minister, Francisco Mackenna.

FIFA's announcement indicated that Balogun's automatic suspension was halted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to reassess the situation.

Hope for a Fair Match

Rubio mentioned that many observers noted Balogun did not intend to harm his opponent and expressed hope that both teams would compete at full strength in their upcoming match. He remarked that if Belgium wins, it would be a significant achievement, akin to England's recent victory over Mexico.

Belgian FA's Reaction

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed its "astonishment" at FIFA's ruling, stating that they received no justification for the decision. They claimed FIFA failed to provide the requested information and accused the organization of violating its own regulations. The RBFA is prepared to challenge Balogun's eligibility if he appears on the U.S. team sheet.

"To date, the RBFA has not received any rationale for this decision, nor the information it has been seeking since the beginning of this process, including a copy of the decision and the reasoning behind Balogun's eligibility, as well as the referee's report. This constitutes a breach of FIFA regulations," the statement read.

Trump's Involvement

Previously, Trump revealed that he had contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's one-match suspension, which has now been lifted, allowing the forward to participate in the upcoming match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium.