Belgium’s football federation has renewed its demand for an explanation from Fifa over the decision that allowed Folarin Balogun to face the Red Devils at the 2026 World Cup despite being sent off in the previous round.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) wants the matter placed on the agenda for the next Fifa Council meeting on 15 October, saying it has still not received satisfactory answers about how the disciplinary ruling was reached.
Balogun was shown a straight red card in the United States’ final group-stage match and was initially due to serve a one-game suspension. However, Fifa later suspended the punishment for a year, making the striker available for the last-16 meeting with Belgium.
The unusual ruling triggered criticism across European football, particularly after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had contacted Fifa over the case. Both Uefa and the Belgian federation subsequently challenged the governing body for greater transparency.
Belgium had requested a detailed explanation of the disciplinary process and clarity over how comparable cases would be treated in future. The RBFA says those questions remain unresolved more than two months after the tournament.
Balogun, who had scored three goals before the knockout stage, started against Belgium. The Red Devils nevertheless won 4-1 before being eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.
His dismissal became only the second red card in World Cup history that did not result in the player missing the following match. Brazil legend Garrincha was the previous case during the 1962 tournament.
Fifa did not provide a detailed public explanation for Balogun’s availability. It referred instead to Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which gives the organisation discretion to suspend all or part of a disciplinary sanction.
No other player suspension was lifted during the 2026 World Cup.
The dispute has now also become part of Belgium’s wider opposition to Gianni Infantino remaining as Fifa president. The RBFA confirmed it will not support the Swiss administrator when he seeks another term in March.
Infantino has led Fifa since 2016 but has faced increasing scrutiny following revelations about the now-abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, which explored selling stakes in major Fifa competitions, including the World Cup, to private investment groups.
Belgium cited both the handling of the Balogun disciplinary case and the proposed investment structure as reasons for withholding its support.
The RBFA said it intends to continue working with Uefa, other confederations and national associations to push for clearer decision-making procedures, stronger governance and greater consistency in football’s disciplinary system.