USA striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the co-host’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday at Seattle Stadium. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued an update on Sunday on the status of the 25-year-old New York-born attacker, who has three goals for the Stars & Stripes at these global finals. “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.” Balogun had been shown a red card in the 64th minute of the Round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which USA went on to win 2-0. (
Source: FIFA)
ROYAL BELGIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
The Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB) is stunned by FIFA's decision that the suspended United States player, Balogun, should nevertheless be eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match scheduled for Monday, 6 June at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time). FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This article states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly states that a red card (dismissal) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case with every previous red card at this FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, irrespective of the above, the decision directly contradicts the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, specifically Article 10.5, which states: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed." The automatic nature of the suspension was also expressly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. The rule is further reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting held before each match, as well as in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations. In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating member associations and to uphold the overall principles of fair play in our sport, both now and at future FIFA World Cups, the KBVB will continue to examine this matter thoroughly.
After learning through media reports of FIFA’s decision to lift the automatic suspension of player Balogun, the RBFA sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations. As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA. For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA’s own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant. While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible. All of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA’s legitimate requests. Furthermore, during the match coordination meeting, FIFA deliberately removed the section concerning the automatic suspension of players from its presentation. This topic had nonetheless been part of all such meetings before each of the previous four matches. The RBFA questioned FIFA, both orally and in writing, about the reasons for this change, yet once again received no response. To be clear, as of this moment, the RBFA has still not received any decision or any explanation from FIFA regarding this matter. It therefore has no alternative but to challenge the player's eligibility for the upcoming match. Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.
SWISS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
The decision in the Balogun case is incomprehensible to the Swiss Football Association (SFA), regardless of how it came about. Until now, the principle has been clear: any player sent off is automatically suspended for the next match. This rule applied equally to everyone and ensured both clarity and consistency. This decision raises questions and creates uncertainty, particularly regarding the authority of referees' decisions, especially when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is involved. The credibility of the competition depends on clear rules that are applied consistently..
UEFA
Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line. Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension. When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition. Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws. A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.
FIFA President
“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance. FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected. Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold. I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”
FIFA Referees Committee
"FIFA recognizes Raphael Claus as one of the most outstanding professional referees in the world and a valuable member of the 'Team One' at the FIFA World Cup. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity". Pierluigi Collina, FIFA Refereeing Director and Chairman of the Referees Committee, stated: 'Raphael Claus is refereeing in his second FIFA World Cup, having participated with us in Qatar 2022. He is an experienced and highly respected referee, and we maintain full confidence in him as a reliable official.'"
CONMEBOL
The Referees' Committee of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) expresses its full appreciation for the career, professionalism, integrity, independence, and professional competence of South American referee Raphael Claus, qualities he has repeatedly demonstrated throughout his distinguished international refereeing career. Therefore, the Committee expresses its full and unreserved support for his work, reaffirming its confidence in his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to the service of world football.
