Folarin Balogun #20 and Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts to him receiving a red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic #4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Charlotte Wilson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
By Our Reporter
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has kicked against FIFA’s “unjustifiable decision” to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban ahead of the United States national team’s round 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the round-of-32 match between the US and Bosnia & Herzegovina for a dangerous foul. He was supposed to miss the team’s match against Belgium on Tuesday.
In an unprecedented manner FIFA on Sunday announced the decision to suspend the 25-year-old’s one-match ban for one year, making him available for the last-16 game.
The ruling has continued to generate mixed reactions globally, and it was further revealed that a member of the US White House had earlier called Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, to review the red card decision.
In a statement on Monday, UEFA said FIFA crossed a “red line’ with the verdict.
The European football body said a mandatory suspension for a red card received on the pitch “is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted”.
UEFA added that the decision “creates a precedent” that could be detrimental to the ongoing FIFA World Cup or the sport itself.
Earlier, the Belgian FA described the FIFA ruling as contravening the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition regulations and said it is investigating “all potential options” to protect the integrity of the game.
