FIFA's unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun 's automatic one-match ban has ignited a fierce debate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 , drawing criticism from rival teams and coaches even as the United States welcomed the move ahead of its Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
The controversy intensified after US President Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for overturning what he described as a "great injustice," while Belgium, Norway and England questioned the implications of the ruling for the integrity of the tournament.
Balogun, the United States' leading scorer with three goals, had been shown a straight red card during the Americans' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after catching Tarik Muharemovic on the ankle. The dismissal initially triggered an automatic one-match suspension before FIFA intervened to make the striker eligible for Monday's knockout fixture.
Belgium leads backlash against FIFA ruling
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) reacted angrily to FIFA's decision, saying it was "astonished" by the governing body's move.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked the timing of the announcement.
"I didn't know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe," Garcia said through a translator. "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it's the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision."
The Belgian federation also confirmed it was exploring its legal options.
"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," it said in a statement.
Garcia declined to comment when asked whether Belgium would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or whether Trump's intervention had influenced FIFA's decision.
Tuchel and Solbakken question precedent
England manager Thomas Tuchel also raised concerns over the wider implications of FIFA's decision.
"We can now debate endlessly: I think it's not a yellow card," Tuchel said. "Where does this end? Where does it stop?"
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken was even more critical, warning the ruling could create confusion for future disciplinary decisions.
"What about the next red card? What happens then?" Solbakken asked. "Is there going to be some committee somewhere that is going to take that card away? It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup."
Neville, Rooney and Henry join growing backlash
Gary Neville: "It absolutely stinks. I actually didn't think it was a red card. There should be a review process in place. But if there's no process for it to be overturned, and then somehow FIFA from nowhere have just decided to basically let a player play, the rules should be the same for everybody. I would be absolutely raging if I was Belgium."
Wayne Rooney: "I think it's an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this. The sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If you're USA's opponent, you'd be absolutely fuming."
Micah Richards: "It's an absolute farce. To suspend it for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament. All this is to keep the big stars in the competition.”
Thierry Henry: "I do not think it was the right call. It was the right decision, but why so late? If you're Belgium and prepared for the game, it changes everything."
USA defends decision as Trump and Pochettino back FIFA
The ruling received strong backing from the American camp.
According to an AP report, Trump telephoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the Bosnia match and asked the governing body to review Balogun's dismissal.
Following FIFA's announcement, Trump posted: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted his side had already been punished enough.
"We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair," he said.
Pochettino also welcomed Trump's involvement.
"I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football, soccer is a religion, more than the religion," he said. "If we go keep going, pushing on, maybe one step more tomorrow you will see that the sport is magic, that the sport is amazing, is so powerful, unite people, unite a country like us."
How FIFA overturned the suspension
FIFA informed the US Soccer Federation of its decision through its official portal at 10:31 a.m. EDT before announcing that Balogun's suspension had been deferred under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
"The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," FIFA said. "If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
The governing body said the decision relied on Article 27, which states: "The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure."
It further adds: "By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years."
The move appeared to be the first time since the 1962 FIFA World Cup that a player sent off during the tournament avoided serving the automatic suspension, ensuring Balogun will be available as the United States attempts to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
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