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The 2026 World Cup had finally begun to show signs of delivering genuine excitement. After a group stage largely stripped of suspense due to its flawed format, the knockout rounds brought back the thrill of competition. Yet, amid the renewed enthusiasm, many had already forgotten the earlier controversies — including the United States’ shameful treatment of Iran and the exclusion of referee Omar Artan and countless other Africans from attending the tournament.

As fans anticipate Spain’s last-16 clash with Portugal, it’s worth recalling that Cristiano Ronaldo should have been suspended for his nation’s first two matches. FIFA’s latest decisions, however, ensure that its reputation for hypocrisy, inconsistency, and disregard for fairness remains intact. The organisation’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for the United States’ match against Belgium is only the latest example of that decay.

Just as FIFA had controversially reduced Ronaldo’s three-match suspension for a red card in a World Cup qualifier last November, the governing body’s move to clear Balogun to play despite his recent dismissal has drawn widespread condemnation. The decision to overlook his mandatory one-match ban has left many questioning what integrity, if any, the competition still holds.

Balogun was sent off in the United States’ round-of-32 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina for a dangerous, though unintentional, challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. According to FIFA regulations, such an offence warrants an automatic suspension for the next match — in this case, the fixture in Seattle. Yet, barely a day before kickoff, FIFA announced that the team’s top scorer would face no punishment. Christian Pulisic, perhaps unwisely, remarked that “it just feels right,” a comment that amused some but infuriated most observers who saw the call as blatantly wrong.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville didn’t hold back on ITV, saying, “It absolutely stinks. There should be a proper review process. I didn’t think it was a red card, but unless there’s a system to overturn it, FIFA can’t just decide out of nowhere to let him play. Rules should be the same for everyone. If I were Belgium, I’d be fuming.”

And Belgium are indeed furious. Head coach Rudi Garcia sarcastically commented that he hadn’t realised July 5 was April Fool’s Day in America, while the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) declared itself “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling.

In its statement, the RBFA explained that “FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” which allows the Disciplinary Committee to suspend enforcement of a sanction. However, the RBFA noted that Article 66.4 clearly states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the next match — a rule consistently applied throughout this tournament. The association further cited Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which confirms that any player sent off must miss their team’s next game, with potential for additional penalties.

The RBFA also pointed to FIFA’s own circulars and pre-match briefings, all of which reiterated this automatic suspension rule. “To safeguard the legitimate rights of all teams and uphold fair play,” the RBFA said, “we are exploring all available options.”

Legal proceedings may now follow, potentially extending beyond the tournament’s conclusion — a chaotic scenario entirely in keeping with this World Cup’s tone. The controversy traces back to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s alignment with Donald Trump, who has treated the event as his personal project since Infantino awarded him a manufactured ‘peace prize.’

Trump has even claimed he personally spoke with Infantino and thanked him publicly for “reversing a great injustice.” While FIFA denies any political interference, Trump’s history of self-promotion makes such claims difficult to take seriously. Still, Norway coach Stale Solbakken observed that the situation “doesn’t look good” for the governing body regardless of the truth behind those phone calls.

UEFA described FIFA’s move as “incomprehensible and unjustifiable,” saying it brought the sport into disrepute by crossing “a red line.” Even former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, of all people, condemned the decision, writing that “red cards are not overturned by political phone calls but by rules, evidence, and independent bodies.” He added, “If a U.S. President intervenes and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power.”

This entire saga is symptomatic of Infantino’s leadership — one that normalises arbitrary decisions and erodes trust in the sport’s governance. Gary Neville warned that “every other team that’s had a player sent off will now feel wronged,” and few would disagree. FIFA’s pattern of making decisions that are both shocking and predictable continues, from its controversial rule changes to its accommodation of American broadcasters with ‘hydration breaks’ that effectively divide matches into four quarters.

That FIFA maintains an office in Trump Tower in New York City only adds to the perception that its supposed neutrality is a farce. Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has urged the organisation to “do better,” but few expect reform. By its own regulations, FIFA should suspend the U.S. national team for political interference, yet Infantino and his colleagues have long operated without accountability.

Infantino will likely dismiss the outrage, urging fans to “relax and focus on football.” But that’s increasingly difficult when FIFA’s questionable rulings affect not just players but also referees and even spectators. As Solbakken rightly noted, the Balogun controversy not only “hurts football” but also tarnishes the reputation of the U.S. team itself. The hosts were already unpopular; now, neutral fans everywhere may find themselves cheering for Belgium. And even if the U.S. win, their success will carry an asterisk — because, as Solbakken said, “this decision will always be in the background.” With Trump’s influence already looming over this World Cup, the stain on both the tournament and the U.S. campaign is now impossible to ignore.