According to Gianni Infantino, president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the World Cup’s governing body has continued to deliver on its promise to become more transparent and accountable. Soccer fans outside the United States might feel that if Infantino keeps making those claims after a decision issued on July 5, 2026, he deserves a red card himself.
Folarin Balogun, a player for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), was given a red card for a foul during a World Cup 2026 round-of-32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. As a red-card suspension automatically carries a one-match ban as a long-standing disciplinary measure, it was expected that he would miss the upcoming round-of-16 clash against Belgium. However, the USMNT striker had his one-game ban converted to a one-year probationary period, making him eligible for the game scheduled for July 6.
So why are soccer fans around the world crying foul over the unexpected waiving of Balogun’s required red-card disciplinary sanction? In addition to FIFA not providing an explanation for invoking Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, more than a few eyebrows have been raised over the discovery that President Donald Trump called Infantino a few hours after the game, asking him to “review the call” and allegedly mentioning unsubstantiated accusations of match fixing involving the game’s referee, Raphael Claus, in prior matches in Brazil.
Questioning FIFA’s “transparency” policies, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) were quick to condemn the red card reversal (which is less a reversal and more of a sidestep). They cited the open friendship between Trump and Infantino, including the creation of a FIFA “Peace Prize” awarded to the U.S. president, as contributing to a biased ruling that effectively negates the red card ban
With Belgium’s appeal dismissed by FIFA as “inadmissible” hours before the match’s kickoff, it appears Balogun will be available for USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. While the U.S. Soccer team can advance to the World Cup quarterfinals with a win over Belgium, a victory might also carry the weight of an extra-large asterisk in the eyes of many soccer fans.
Maybe They Should Consider Adding an Orange Card?
Founded in 1904 to oversee international matches between teams representing eight European countries, FIFA has grown into the leading organization for international soccer competition. This includes administering all aspects of the World Cup, which takes place once every four years. Often accused of corruption, bullying, and playing favorites, FIFA has steadily introduced a series of new bylaws and policies, such as a legal portal, designed to make the association more compliant and accessible. Touting integrity and fair play for all, this includes offering clearer definitions for many of its rules.
There are two different cards used by soccer referees to punish fouls during matches. The most common is a yellow card, given for minor transgressions such as bad tackles or unsportsmanlike behavior. A single yellow card in a match generally serves as a formal warning, and the underlying foul often results in a free kick if it occurs outside the offending team’s penalty area. A second yellow in the same game results in a red card, which causes an immediate ejection and leaves the team down a player for the rest of the match.
A red card is displayed for more serious or violent incidents, which include dangerous tackles, spitting, or using offensive or abusive language. It only takes one red card to be tossed from the game, along with a suspension of at least one match, which can be increased based on the foul’s severity.
In the July 1 match between the USMNT and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun and Tarik Muharemovic were battling for a contested ball when the U.S. striker appeared to step heavily on Muharemovic’s ankle. Although Claus made no call at the time, he was later alerted to the possible foul by one of the officials monitoring replays. After a VAR review, Balogun was shown the red card and removed from the game.
In the 2026 World Cup, there is no formal process for teams to appeal red card sanctions, which can be increased beyond the mandatory one-match suspension by an independent panel. This belief led to shocked reactions after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended the implementation of Balogun’s suspension for a one-year probationary period. If Balogun commits “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity” during the period, the sanction becomes enforceable again and subject to additional sanctions.
To many, Balogun was given a “get‑out‑of‑jail‑free” card, a move some commentators say has not been seen at a World Cup since the early 1960s. The fact that FIFA offered no explanation for its ruling, combined with the timing of the conversation between Infantino and President Trump, seems to undermine the governing body’s transparency policy.
Regardless, It’ll Be Settled on the Pitch
This is not the first red-card controversy FIFA is facing during the 2026 World Cup. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo received a three-game red-card ban in 2025 for elbowing, which would have forced him to miss his team’s first two matches in this year’s round-robin games. Instead, he was also put on Article 27 probation and allowed to compete. Portugal was scheduled to play Spain in a last-16 clash on July 6.
For an organization claiming it would adhere to a rule of law in sports that promotes clarity and a level playing field, the decision to reinstate Balogun without explanation after speaking with President Trump has many in the soccer world seeing FIFA’s promises as the only transparent thing involved. If Balogun ends up being an integral part of a USMNT victory over Belgium, expect the howls of outrage to continue increasing.
