FIFA rejected Balogun challenge after treating query as an appeal, claims Belgium

FIFA rejected Belgium’s request for access to the decision on making U.S. striker Folarin Balogun eligible for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match, the Royal Belgian Football Association said. The RBFA stated FIFA treated Belgium’s letter as an inadmissible appeal and did not provide information within the “few hours” it said Belgium had to act. FIFA had suspended Balogun’s red-card ban and cleared him to play after U.S. President Donald Trump urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case, according to the report. The RBFA argued FIFA’s rules require the reasoned decision to be communicated before an appeal can be admitted and claimed FIFA removed an automatic suspension section without explanation. Reuters said it contacted FIFA for comment. Published Jul 06, 2026.