FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium challenges the legality of Balogun’s ban being overturned

Belgium will challenge the eligibility of US forward Folarin Balogun for the World Cup round of 16 on Monday after the Royal Belgian Football Association said FIFA had treated its letter requesting a copy of the decision as an inadmissible appeal.

FIFA has suspended Balogun’s red card ban and cleared him to play in the Round of 16 after US President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the matter.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it had still not received any decision or explanation from FIFA on Balogun’s suitability.

“There is therefore no other option than to question the player’s suitability for the upcoming match,” the KBVB said. The KBVB said FIFA considered its correspondence as an appeal and rejected it on technical grounds.

“For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA’s own regulations stipulate that the reasoned decision must first be communicated to the appellant,” the KBVB said.

READ ALSO: Belgium granted right to appeal FIFA red card decision: reports

“While the KBVB was only looking for legitimate explanations, FIFA itself filed an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.

“All this happened while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the legitimate requests of the KBVB.”

The RBFA also said FIFA had removed the section on automatic player suspension from a pre-match coordination presentation and had not explained the change, despite repeated verbal and written requests.

“Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the KBVB is seriously concerned about the state of affairs and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months to defend the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition and the interests of football as a whole,” the KBVB said.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.

Published on July 6, 2026