FIFA rejects Belgium appeal, allows expelled US player Balogun to play

The FIFA appeals committee rejected Belgium's challenge against the reinstatement of US forward Folarin Balogun, who was expelled in the round of 32 but later readmitted for the round of 16 match against Belgium, calling the appeal "inadmissible."

The decision

FIFA stated that the Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA) "is not entitled to lodge an appeal against this decision, as it is not a party to the proceedings" Source: elcolombiano. The disciplinary committee had commuted Balogun's red card for stepping on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic to "one match suspension with suspended sentence, accompanied by a one-year probation period" Source: heraldomx.

Belgium's response

Belgium still may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but time is short. Legal expert Sébastien Ledure warned that if CAS overturns FIFA's decision after the match, the US could risk forfeiting if they win Source: elcolombiano. Belgium claims it has not received the reasons for the decision, alleging a violation of FIFA regulations Source: heraldomx.

Political dimension

US President Donald Trump confirmed he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card. Infantino responded on X that FIFA's disciplinary bodies are "independent," implicitly denying direct intervention Source: elcolombiano.