FIFA’s ‘incomprehensible’ decision allows Balogun on the field and generates revolt from UEFA at the 2026 World Cup

An intense controversy, unprecedented in the 96-year history of the World Cup, shook the world football scene this Monday, on the eve of a decisive quarter-final clash between the United States, one of the hosts, and Belgium.

UEFA, the highest entity that governs European football, expressed severe criticism of FIFA, classifying as “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” the authorization for American striker Folarin Balogun to enter the field, even after having received a red card in the previous match. The shocking move was released on Sunday, reportedly after pressure was put on FIFA president Gianni Infantino by his political ally, US President Donald Trump.

In an official statement, UEFA declared that FIFA “crossed a red line” by choosing not to apply the mandatory one-match ban that should have been imposed on Balogun. The punishment referred to a violent attack against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which took place last Wednesday.

FIFA’s decision, announced on Sunday, which postponed Balogun’s suspension for a year on probation, completely diverges from the traditional principle of legality in football. This stance provoked a wave of harsh criticism around the world, including demonstrations by former World Cup stars and coaches.

“It’s a very, very, very, very bad decision, which will harm the World Cup,” commented Ståle Solbakken, Norway’s coach, on Sunday, shortly after his team beat Brazil and secured a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

UEFA, which represents federations such as Belgium, the United States’ rival, was emphatic in stating: “Sometimes rules are subject to interpretation. In this case, no.”

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The European entity continued, highlighting that “when the certainty of the rules is no longer guaranteed by those responsible, the integrity of the game is at risk and the credibility of the competition is damaged”. Historically, UEFA often found itself at odds with Infantino during his decade in power at FIFA.

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision,” said UEFA, where Gianni Infantino himself served as general secretary, equivalent to a CEO, from 2009 until he was elected to preside over FIFA in February 2016.

FIFA, in turn, was questioned on Monday about the scathing criticisms made by UEFA.

Sepp Blatter, Infantino’s predecessor as FIFA president, who stepped down in 2015 amid corruption scandals, posted on social media on Monday. He declared: “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.”

The Belgian football federation was preparing, in the early hours of Monday, an appeal in Seattle to contest the decision in favor of Balogun. The case will be heard by a FIFA-appointed appeals judge, while the round of 16 match against the United States is scheduled for 5pm local time.

Details of the play that resulted in Balogun’s expulsion

Folarin Balogun was sent off with a straight red card after stepping on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. The infraction occurred during the United States’ 2-0 victory in the round of 32.

This type of play has routinely been punished with a red card in various competitions around the world this season. Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, Balogun could expect a two-game suspension for violent conduct.

However, similar moves made by renowned players did not result in punishments in this World Cup, such as that of Lionel Messi, from Argentina, against Algeria, and that of Achraf Hakimi, from Morocco, against Brazil. Portugal’s Bernardo Silva received just one yellow card in his match against Congo.

“I think a yellow card would have been fair,” Balogun suggested in statements after the incident.

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History of controversial FIFA decisions in tournaments

This edition of the World Cup has been marked by notable decisions by FIFA under Infantino, who has apparently reformulated the rules for disciplinary action even before the start of the tournament.

A pattern of pardons has raised suspicions of executive intervention in the statutory independence of its judicial bodies, including the disciplinary committee that formally pardoned Balogun.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, was cleared to play in Portugal’s World Cup debut despite having received a red card for violent conduct in a qualifying match against Ireland last November, when he hit an opponent with an elbow.

Ronaldo served his mandatory suspension in Portugal’s final qualifying match, but was released from an expected two-game suspension thanks to FIFA’s introduction of the concept of a probationary period. Thus, a three-game suspension imposed became less significant, with two games being postponed during a one-year probationary period.

In the opening game, on June 11, South African Themba Zwane received a red card against Mexico for a foul similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, and FIFA imposed a three-game suspension, without the right to a trial period. Zwane did not play again in the World Cup.

Furthermore, three players sent off in their national team’s qualifying matches last year were surprised by FIFA in May when they were informed that they could serve their suspensions in a future competition, rather than in the World Cup, as had been the norm until then.

Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo, Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi and Qatari defender Tarek Salman had their suspensions lifted specifically for the World Cup.

Debate on different treatment for the United States national team

In May, FIFA justified these measures by stating that the aim was to ensure that teams “can compete with their strongest possible squads on the biggest stage in men’s international football”.

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The decision involving Balogun merely extended that policy, albeit inconsistently, as other players who have been red-carded to date have been forced to miss at least one match.

“This is a principle enshrined in the regulations, which cannot be subject to exceptions”, pointed out UEFA, “much less in the middle of a tournament in which several other players were in the same situation and regularly served their suspensions.”