Belgium makes move after USA World Cup star's red card suspension was lifted: report

Belgium’s shot federation connected Monday was reportedly fixed the close to entreaty FIFA’s determination to suspend the reddish paper prohibition it gave USA World Cup prima Folarin Balogun.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) requested a afloat mentation from FIFA implicit its determination to suspend USA World Cup prima Folarin Balogun’s reddish paper ban, The Athletic reported Monday. The RBFA is besides requesting a study from FIFA’s officiating body, according to the report.

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Folarin Balogun of the U.S. celebrates scoring their archetypal extremity during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 lucifer against Bosnia and Herzegovina successful Santa Clara, California. (Phil Noble / Reuters via Imagn Images)

The U.S. and Belgium commencement their Round of 16 crippled successful Seattle astatine 8 p.m. ET.

FIFA made its determination to assistance the suspension connected Balogun connected Sunday. It appeared to beryllium the archetypal clip since 1962 that a reddish paper during a World Cup didn’t effect successful a suspension. Balogun initially received the reddish paper for stepping connected the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic aft a VAR review.

The RBFA said it was "astonished" and Belgium manager Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s ruling.

"I didn’t cognize that successful the offices of FIFA the 5th of July was the archetypal of April successful Europe," Garcia said done a translator. "The Belgian federation does not support itself, it does not support the nationalist team. She defends shot successful general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I deliberation it’s the archetypal clip successful the past of the World Cup that determination is this benignant of decision."

Folarin Balogun of the U.S. is consoled by teammates Giovanni Reyna and Timothy Weah aft receiving a reddish paper during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 lucifer against Bosnia and Herzegovina connected July 1, 2026, successful Santa Clara, California. (Carlos Barria / Reuters via Imagn Images)

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Garcia wouldn’t respond erstwhile asked astir a imaginable entreaty to the Court of the Arbitration for Sport oregon whether helium thought President Donald Trump impacted FIFA’s action.

"In bid to safeguard the morganatic rights of each participating teams and to support the cardinal principles of just play successful our sport, some astatine this FIFA World Cup and astatine aboriginal editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating each imaginable options," the RBFA said.

Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to inquire the enactment to reappraisal the reddish card, a root told Fox News.

"The implementation of the lucifer suspension is suspended for a probationary play of 1 year," FIFA announced. "If Folarin Balogun commits different infringement of a akin quality and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall beryllium revoked and the authorisation enforced without prejudice to immoderate further authorisation imposed for the caller infringement."

U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino lauded FIFA’s move.

Folarin Balogun of the U.S. men's nationalist squad speaks to media earlier grooming successful Seattle, Washington, connected July 3, 2026. (Steven Bisig / Imagn Images)

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"We were punished capable against Bosnia and Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes successful a determination that was wholly unfair," helium said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.