FIFA reverses Folarin Balogun's red card before USA-Belgium match
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 4:03 AM
Last updated Jul 13, 2026
FIFA revoked Folarin Balogun’s red card before the USA’s round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6. The decision drew widespread debate among rival coaches and fans, who were surprised by the move. It was revealed that the chair of FIFA’s disciplinary committee, Mohammad al Kamali, made the decision independently, despite FIFA claiming its judicial bodies operate autonomously. Following scrutiny of the reversal, Belgium and other European nations are considering legal action against FIFA. Al Kamali declined to comment when questioned about the circumstances surrounding the decision.
- •Balogun's red card was overturned shortly before the USA's match against Belgium.
- •FIFA's chairman reportedly made the decision alone, breaching committee protocols.
- •Al Kamali faced questions but chose not to respond.
- •European nations, including Belgium, may pursue legal action against FIFA.
- 12:48 AMYahoo Sports — Balogun: I knew red card decision would cause 'a lot of controversy'
- 9:51 PMYahoo Sports — USMNT star Folarin Balogun admits ban overturn affected team vs Belgium
- 4:03 AMYahoo Sports — Man Behind Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Reverse Keeps Silence as National Debate Grows
"United States forward Folarin Balogun said that he knew FIFA's decision to allow him play against Belgium in the World Cup last 16 was "going to cause a lot of controversy. " Balogun was one of the key players for co-hosts US during the tournament, but he was initially suspended for the match against Belgium after he was sent off during the round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"FIFA revoking Folarin Balogun’s red card before the USA’s round of 16 game against Belgium was arguably the most controversial moment of this World Cup. Rival coaches and managers, as well as fans, were left stunned by the decision.
"USMNT star Folarin Balogun admitted that the controversy around his red card suspension being reversed affected his team mentally in its loss to Belgium.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 15, 2026, 12:48 AMBalogun: I knew red card decision would cause 'a lot of controversy'
United States forward Folarin Balogun said that he knew FIFA's decision to allow him play against Belgium in the World Cup last 16 was "going to cause a lot of controversy. " Balogun was one of the key players for co-hosts US during the tournament, but he was initially suspended for the match against Belgium after he was sent off during the round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Yahoo SportsJul 14, 2026, 9:51 PMUSMNT star Folarin Balogun admits ban overturn affected team vs Belgium
USMNT star Folarin Balogun admitted that the controversy around his red card suspension being reversed affected his team mentally in its loss to Belgium.
- Yahoo SportsJul 13, 2026, 4:03 AMMan Behind Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Reverse Keeps Silence as National Debate Grows
FIFA revoking Folarin Balogun’s red card before the USA’s round of 16 game against Belgium was arguably the most controversial moment of this World Cup. Rival coaches and managers, as well as fans, were left stunned by the decision.
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