Belgium have confirmed they will appeal the decision to suspend USA striker Folarin Baloguns one-match ban and outlined their unhappiness with FIFAs lack of transparency. FIFA yesterday invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to downgrade Baloguns sanction, handed out following the players red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a studs up challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, opting instead to suspend the punishment for 12 months.It was an unprecedented move at a World Cup and, as it stands, means Balogun can play for the USA against Belgium in their round-of-16 clash tonight.Reports suggest FIFA was lobbied by US president Donald Trump, a friend of Gianni Infantino, to use Article 27 and make Balogun available. Trump later thanked FIFA for reversing a great injustice in a post on Truth Social.The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) immediately outlined their dissatisfaction and confirmed it was examining its options.That has now been formalised in the way of an appeal, although that has been made more complicated by FIFAs unwillingness to co-operate with their own process.Belgium unhappy at FIFA actionsAn RBFA statement read: After learning through media reports of FIFAs decision to lift the automatic suspension of player Balogun, the RBFA sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations.As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.For an appeal to be admissible, FIFAs own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant. While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.It continued: All of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFAs legitimate requests. Furthermore, during the match coordination meeting, FIFA deliberately removed the section concerning the automatic suspension of players from its presentation. This topic had nonetheless been part of all such meetings before each of the previous four matches. The RBFA questioned FIFA, both orally and in writing, about the reasons for this change, yet once again received no response.To be clear, as of this moment, the RBFA has still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter. It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the players eligibility for the upcoming match.Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.more to follow Topics Belgium National Football Team Folarin Balogun United States Men's National Soccer Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read UEFA lay into FIFA and describe Balogun decision as an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision Jon Fisher 6th July, 2026 Belgium furious after USAs Balogun has red card suspended Mitch Fretton 6th July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Folarin Balogun eligible to play for USA against Belgium after FIFA suspends red card ban 101 GreatGoals 5th July, 2026 USA boss Pochettino backs sad Balogun over World Cup 2026 red card: Never intentional Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 United States 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina: 10-men co-hosts progress despite Balogun red Nicholas McGee 2nd July, 2026 Balogun strikes on stroke of half-time to put USA on course for last 16 Nicholas McGee 2nd July, 2026
