FIFA Reverses Balogun's Suspension: A Fair Play Decision Ahead of World Cup Clash

In a significant move, FIFA has lifted the suspension of US striker Flo Balogun, allowing him to participate in the upcoming World Cup match against Belgium. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the decision as fair, emphasizing the importance of both teams competing at full strength. The reversal comes after a controversial red card incident during a previous match. The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed its astonishment at FIFA's ruling, raising concerns about the decision-making process. As the teams prepare for their clash, the stakes are high, and the outcome could be pivotal for both sides. Read on to learn more about the implications of this decision and the upcoming match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 05:30 IST

Balogun's Red Card Suspension Lifted

Washington [US], July 7: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised FIFA's choice to lift the red card suspension against US striker Flo Balogun, calling it a "correct decision." He emphasized that teams prefer to compete against their opponents at full strength, ensuring that any victory is genuine and not marred by the absence of key players.

FIFA has dismissed Belgium's appeal regarding Balogun's eligibility after the governing body suspended the forward's one-match ban ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. Balogun received a red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.

Rubio criticized the initial red card decision, stating, "It was a poor call. Reviews should be conducted in real-time rather than slow motion. Reversing it was the right move. If you’re Belgium, winning a match without facing the best player from the opposing team raises questions about the legitimacy of that victory." He made these remarks while alongside Chile's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Mackenna.

FIFA announced the suspension of Balogun's automatic one-match ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, following a request from US President Donald Trump for a review of the case.

Rubio noted that many observers felt Balogun did not intend to harm his opponent and was unaware of stepping on his leg. He expressed hope that both teams would compete at full strength in their upcoming match.

He added, "If Belgium wins, they should be able to say they defeated a fully-equipped US team, making their victory as significant as England's recent win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium."

Rubio concluded, "While this situation may have escalated into an international issue, I hope the match proceeds with both teams at full strength, and the best team wins. Belgium has a strong squad, and a victory over the US would be a notable achievement, similar to the UK's recent success in Mexico."

Previously, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed its shock at FIFA's decision to allow Balogun to play.

In their statement, they mentioned, "The RBFA has received the FIFA Appeal Committee's decision, which deemed our case inadmissible and confirmed Balogun's eligibility to play."

They also claimed that FIFA failed to provide adequate reasoning for its decision and did not respond to their requests for information. The RBFA accused FIFA of violating its own regulations and indicated readiness to challenge Balogun's eligibility if he appears on the US team sheet.

"To date, the RBFA has not received any justification for this decision, nor the requested information, including a copy of the decision and the referee's report. This is a violation of FIFA regulations. The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation of its intention to contest the player's eligibility should he be listed on the referee's team sheet," the statement concluded.

Earlier, Trump had communicated with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun's one-match suspension, which was ultimately lifted, allowing him to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium.