FIFA is facing a storm of criticism after it overturned a red card suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision, described as unprecedented in modern World Cup history, has drawn accusations of political interference following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request the reconsideration.
The Belgian football federation (URBSFA) has sent an official letter to FIFA expressing its «astonishment» and demanding an explanation. According to the Belgian dailyLe Soir, the federation interpreted FIFA’s move as a request for appeal and has been given until 14:00 local time to prepare its arguments. The federation stated it is conducting a «thorough investigation» to protect the «legitimate rights of all participating nations and the fundamental principles of fair play that govern our sport.»
The controversy erupted after Balogun received a red card in the United States’ previous group-stage match, which should have resulted in an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA rules. However, FIFA intervened and suspended the red card, clearing the striker to play against Belgium. TheNew York Times, citing three sources familiar with the conversation, reported that Trump called Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to reconsider the suspension. The newspaper noted that this is the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to play despite an automatic suspension.
The timing of the decision, just hours before the match, has fueled accusations of favoritism and political meddling. Belgium’s coach, Rudi Garcia, delivered a scathing comment during a press conference, saying: «I didn’t know that July 5 was April Fools’ Day for FIFA.» He added: «We must stick to the statement from the Belgian federation. It is absolutely correct. This has never happened in the history of the World Cup. By doing this, the Belgian federation is defending the interests of football, its ethics, and its integrity.»
Belgium’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, expressed concern over the «strange timing» of the decision on the eve of the match. «This sets a dangerous and bizarre precedent,» Courtois said. «But in the end, there is nothing we can do about it. As a group, we want to win on the pitch, regardless of the opponent. It is up to the federation to react and protect football in general. We are focused only on the match.»
TheNew York Timesreport also highlighted that the intervention comes after years of Infantino seeking to strengthen ties with Trump. Last year, FIFA created and awarded Trump the «FIFA Peace Prize,» while Trump was conducting his unsuccessful public campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Critics argue that the red card reversal undermines the credibility of FIFA’s disciplinary processes and raises questions about the organization’s independence from political influence.
The Belgian federation has vowed to «defend football» and is exploring all legal and procedural options to challenge the decision. The match between Belgium and the United States is scheduled to kick off at 2:00 a.m. local time, with Balogun now expected to feature in the starting lineup. The outcome of the game could have significant implications for both teams, but the controversy surrounding FIFA’s intervention is likely to overshadow the sporting contest.