The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has cited the Balogun incident as a key reason for not supporting Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, according to The Athletic.

The Belgian FA issued a statement on Monday saying it will not support Infantino for a third term due to the failure of FIFA's Forward programme and the suspension of a red card ban for US men's national team striker Folau Balogun at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Belgian FA accused FIFA of failing to provide "satisfactory answers" regarding a decision made two months ago. At that time, FIFA allowed Balogun to play in the Round of 16 match at the World Cup against Belgium, despite being sent off in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgium also accused FIFA of a "complete lack of transparency" concerning the Balogun incident and the Forward programme issue. The Forward programme refers to FIFA's scrapped plan to sell stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The Belgian FA's statement read: "The Belgian FA was directly involved in the ongoing case regarding Balogun's World Cup red card. We believe important questions remain unanswered. Despite our explicit requests for (1) a clear explanation of the reasons for this decision and (2) an explanation of how similar situations will be handled in the future, we have not received satisfactory answers."

The Belgian FA also requested that FIFA include the Balogun incident on the agenda of the FIFA Council meeting in October.

Belgian FA president Pascal Van Damme added: "During and after the World Cup, my team at the Belgian FA communicated with FIFA calmly and constructively, hoping to receive a clear explanation regarding the Balogun incident. Two months after the incident, we note that the relevant questions remain unanswered."

FIFA was contacted by The Athletic for comment.

Balogun, 25, received a direct red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina but was able to play against Belgium following intervention from US President Donald Trump, government officials, US Soccer, and a large legal team.

Belgium formally appealed FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban, but FIFA's Appeals Committee rejected the challenge. Belgium progressed after defeating one of the hosts 4-1, and players celebrated by mimicking Trump's dance moves in the dressing room, but said after the match that they would continue to pressure FIFA over the Balogun decision.

The Belgian FA is the latest European football association to confirm it will not support Infantino ahead of the March election. UEFA – the European football governing body of which Belgium is a member – has made clear it wants FIFA's president to resign following the failure of the Forward programme and has filed multiple lawsuits in several US locations in an effort to force him out.

FIFA reaffirmed on Sunday that Infantino will seek a third term, while continental confederations remain divided over their support.

CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have joined UEFA in calling for Infantino's resignation, but some of their member nations, including Mexico and Qatar, have pledged support for the 56-year-old president.

Infantino also retains support from the African Football Confederation. CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have criticized the Forward programme but are calling for "unity" ahead of the March election.

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