FIFA Rejects Belgium's Appeal; US Forward Balogun Still Eligible for World Cup Round of 16

2026 World Cup Key News

(Lausanne, Switzerland, July 6, 2026, CNA, Reuters) The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced today that the Belgian Football Association's appeal against the one-match suspended ban for US forward Balogun has been "rejected." This means Balogun will still be eligible to play in the World Cup Round of 16.

According to Agence France-Presse and Reuters, FIFA stated in a release: "The appeal lodged by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) concerning the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to impose a one-match ban, suspended for one year, on US national team player Folarin Balogun has been ruled inadmissible by the FIFA Appeals Committee."

The statement further added: "The request is inadmissible because the Royal Belgian Football Association is not a party to the proceedings and therefore does not have the right to appeal this decision."

In the World Cup Round of 32 match where the US defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, Balogun was shown a red card for stepping on the foot of opponent Tarik Muharemović. According to regulations, a red card automatically results in a one-match suspension.

However, FIFA announced yesterday that the one-match ban for Balogun would be suspended, allowing him to participate in today's World Cup Round of 16 match between the US and Belgium. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 1150707

Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.

Download the CNA "One-Stop News" APP for real-time updates.

No part of this website's text, images, or videos may be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.