The RBFA is stunned by the FIFA decision to declare the American player Folarin Balogun。

OFFICIAL STATEMENT:

Official RBFA communiqué in response to the FIFA suspension granted to Folarin Balogun:

« The RBFA is stunned by the FIFA decision to declare the American player Folarin Balogun, who was suspended, eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, July 6 at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the execution of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (dismissal) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

Furthermore, independently of the foregoing, this decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as provided in Article 10.5:

« If a player or team official is sent off due to a direct or indirect red card (second caution), he will automatically be suspended from his team's next match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed. »

The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on May 12, 2026.

The same rule is repeated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 match coordination meeting before each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both during this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is examining all potential options. »