FIFA Rejects Belgium’s Appeal Over Folarin Balogun’s Eligibility

FIFA has rejected 🇧🇪Belgium's attempt to challenge the eligibility of United States forward Folarin Balogun, clearing the way for the World Cup star to remain available after his one-match suspension was put on hold.

According to Fox News, the decision came just hours before the United States faced 🇧🇪Belgium, ending an effort by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to overturn FIFA's earlier ruling involving Balogun's red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In a statement, FIFA said its Appeal Committee ruled 🇧🇪Belgium's request was inadmissible because the federation was not directly involved in the disciplinary case.

"The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible in relation to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision to suspend for one year the match suspension imposed on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun following his dismissal for a direct red card during the ⚽FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, played on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium," FIFA said.

The governing body added that Appeal Committee chair Neil Eggleston, who is from the United States, did not participate in the decision.