FIFA announced on Sunday that it has suspended enforcement of the one-match ban imposed on American striker Folarin Balogun following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, making him eligible for Monday's FIFA World Cup round-of-16 clash with Belgium.

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States attends a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match at University of Washington on July 05, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: AFP)

Shortly after FIFA's announcement, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) issued a statement expressing its "astonishment" at the decision and said it was exploring all possible options to safeguard its rights.

Balogun, who has scored three goals to lead the United States at the tournament, was sent off during his side's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 after stamping on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that Balogun had violated Articles 14 and 66 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and imposed a one-match suspension but suspended the ban citing Article 27.

"In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," FIFA said in a statement.

The decision allows Balogun to feature when co-host United States faces Belgium in Seattle on Monday, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

FIFA said that if Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and seriousness during the probationary period, the suspension will automatically take effect, without prejudice to any further sanctions for the new offense.

Belgium attend a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match at Seattle Sounders FC Performance Centre on July 05, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo: AFP)

The RBFA said FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows the disciplinary committee to suspend enforcement of a sanction. However, it argued that Article 66.4 of the same Code clearly states that a player sent off by a red card is automatically suspended for the team's next match, as has been the case for every previous red card issued during this World Cup.

The Belgian federation further argued that the decision contradicts Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which provides that any player or team official sent off by either a direct red card or a second caution "will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match," while additional sanctions may also be imposed.

According to the RBFA, the automatic suspension rule was also reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16 distributed to all participating member associations on May 12, and reiterated before every match during FIFA match coordination meetings and official tournament workshops.

"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," the federation said in its statement.

The United States is seeking its first FIFA World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002.