2026 World Cup: The integrity of the game is at stake – UEFA on FIFA Balogun’s red card decision
UEFA has accused FIFA of undermining the integrity of the World Cup after the governing body suspended Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, allowing the United States forward to face Belgium on Monday.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 after his foot landed on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic.
A straight red card normally carries an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA regulations. However, FIFA said on Sunday that the sanction would be suspended for a probationary period of one year, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code.
It did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said the move “crossed a red line” and raised serious concerns about consistency during the tournament.
“A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option,” UEFA said.
“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.”
UEFA said the decision risked creating a precedent for other disciplinary cases at the World Cup.
“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,” it added.
The intervention has intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s decision, with reports suggesting that political pressure may have been involved.
US President Donald Trump praised the outcome in a post on Truth Social, describing it as the reversal of “a great injustice”. Reports have also suggested that he contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticised the apparent political dimension of the case.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote on X. “They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. Football must never become a playground for political power.”
Belgium’s football association said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and was examining its options before the last-16 match.
England coach Thomas Tuchel also questioned the wider implications, saying: “Where does this start and where does this end?” in reference to concerns that similar cases could now be treated differently.
FIFA has not commented further on the circumstances behind its decision. The USA are due to play Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, with Balogun now eligible to feature.
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