FIFA rejects Belgium's appeal and maintains decision that annulled red card

Trump admits that he asked FIFA to review the red card
FIFA rejected the appeal presented by Belgium against the decision that revoked the red card given to the United States player Folarin Balogun during the North American team's last match in the World Cup.
The Belgian football federation had demanded explanations, before the match against the USA this Monday (6) for a place in the quarter-finals.
FIFA declared the request inadmissible on the grounds that the Belgium is not a party to the process and has no standing to appeal the decision.
✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp
What Belgium alleged
The Belgian federation had stated that it had received "neither FIFA's decision nor any explanation about the case".
The Belgians argue that "Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (expulsion) automatically results in suspension for the next match of the team, as has been the case with all previous red cards applied during this World Cup."
The Belgian football governing body also pointed out that the attacker's release directly contradicts Article 10.5 of the 2026 World Cup Regulations itself, reinforcing that the punishment should be automatic. According to the Belgians, this rule was reaffirmed by FIFA in circulars and official meetings before each match of the tournament.
Folarin Balogun, from the USA, receives a red card from referee Raphael Claus.
Phil Noble / Reuters
Under the claim of protecting the fundamental principles of "fair play" and the rights of the participating teams, the Belgian federation reported that it is already investigating all potential options in the case.
Supposed intervention by Trump
According to a US official, Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino directly to "better understand the reason" for the red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, last Wednesday (1st).
After reviewing the move in the VAR, referee Raphael Claus sent Balogun off in the 18th minute of the final stage. The attacker received a red card for stepping on Muharemovic's ankle.
For TV Globo, the source, who spoke anonymously, stated that the US government "provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process", but highlighted that the appeal process is led by an independent board.
President of the United States, Donald Trump, and President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, pose for a photo with the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, at the White House. Photo from August 2025.
Disclosure/Casa Branca
On social media, the North American president congratulated FIFA and said that the body reversed a great injustice.
"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!", published the president.
Donald Trump congratulates FIFA for reversing the red card given to a US striker during the 2026 World Cup.
Reproduction
During a press conference this Sunday (5), the coach of the North American team, Mauricio Pochettino, celebrated the decision.
"We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina by playing with one less for 30 minutes, in a completely unfair decision. And not just because I am the coach of United States team and I need to defend my side. It's because I believe that 99.9% of people agree that that red card was unfair", said the Argentine coach.
Folarin Balogun, from the USA, during the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Phil Noble / Reuters

Source: G1