The “sudden reversal” of USMNT F Folarin Balogun‘s red card suspension “immediately touched off a furor about political interference and sporting integrity” ahead of the U.S.’s Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. President Trump wrote on Truth Social after the decision, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” The Belgian soccer association, meanwhile, said it was “astonished” by the U-turn and that it was “investigating all potential options” ahead of the match. The federation added, “The decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/5).
UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let Balogun play Monday. UEFA said in a statement that FIFA “crossed a red line” with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban. UEFA, whose member federations include Belgium, said, “Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. 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” (AP, 7/6). FIFA’s ruling also “prompted criticism from inside soccer’s global governing body,” with one of the organization’s VP describing it as an “utter disgrace” (POLITICO, 7/5).
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said of the decision, “I didn’t know the game was being played on April Fool’s Day rather than July 6.” Garcia: “We’re not defending the national team or federation. We are defending football.” USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said, “My reaction is like everyone that really loves that sport and trusts the ethic[s] and integrity. We celebrate that decision,” USMNT F Christian Pulisic added, “It just feels right. If you look at the foul, it’s zero intent” (L.A. TIMES, 7/5).
Norway manager Stale Solbakken said, “That is a big mistake by FIFA, I think it is not a great conclusion that he has got a red card and the VAR concluded it was a red card, he was sent off, that means you are suspended for one game and I think what is really bad about that situation is it will be only United States now.” Solbakken: “What about the next red card? Is there going to be something that takes that card away. … For the United States, that will always hang in the balance if they win” (London INDEPENDENT, 7/6).