FIFA Allows U.S. Forward to Play Despite Red Card

FIFA reversed an earlier red-card suspension and cleared United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in Monday’s Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle. The decision came after the player received a red card in the previous United States match. Tournament officials reviewed video footage and determined the card should be rescinded.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia called the reversal a joke. The Belgian federation said it was astonished by what it described as a direct contradiction of tournament rules and announced it would investigate all potential options. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken also criticized the ruling after his team’s 2-1 win over Brazil.

““I have to be honest, I think that’s a big mistake by FIFA. I think it is not a great conclusion. [Balogun] got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. He was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game.” — Ståle Solbakken, Head Coach of Norway, July 5, 2026 Solbakken added that the lack of transparency around the decision could cast doubt on any American victory.”

Solbakken warned that the move sets a troubling precedent for future red-card reviews.

““What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there gonna be some committee somewhere that takes that card away? It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. … It was not good for the sport or a good decision by FIFA.” — Ståle Solbakken, Head Coach of Norway, July 5, 2026 President Trump separately called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to urge a review of the red card.”