The showdown is near! Belgium prepares new move in Balogun case after game against USA
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun has taken a new turn: the Royal Belgian Football Association has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it will challenge the striker’s eligibility to play if he appears on the match sheet.
Details: According to Fabrizio Romano, the RBFA has officially notified US Soccer that they will contest Balogun’s right to play after the match, should the forward be listed in the referee’s report.
The Belgian side’s statement is firm: if Balogun is included in the team sheet, the federation considers his participation contentious and reserves the right to pursue further action.
This means that even Balogun’s appearance on the pitch may not be the end of the story. On the contrary, the USA vs Belgium clash could spill over beyond the field—into protests, official procedures, and possible disciplinary hearings.
The situation is particularly tense given that UEFA has also strongly condemned the decision regarding Balogun, calling it a dangerous precedent for the entire tournament. The organization stressed that an automatic suspension after a red card should be a mandatory rule, not a matter of individual interpretation—especially as other players have already served similar bans.
Reminder: Previously, FIFA allowed Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite his sending off in the previous match.
