BELGIUM are ready to ask sport’s ultimate court to BOOT the USA out of the World Cup if they lose to a team including Folarin Balogun on Tuesday.
The Red Devils are furious after Donald Trump’s personal intervention saw Fifa rip up their own rulebook to allow former Arsenal striker Balogun to feature against them in the Seattle last-16 clash despite his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Belgium are prepared to ask for the USA to be kicked out of the World Cup if Folarin Balogun plays Credit: Getty
Fifa chiefs are under pressure after a Donald Trump intervention saw the USMNT ace’s ban allowed to play Credit: Getty
Belgium’s indignation went off the scale even further when a Fifa committee ruled their protest “inadmissible” because they were NOT a party to the original decision.
And Brussels FA chiefs gave the US team a blatant warning that they will be prepared to go nuclear and demand the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne kick America out of the World Cup if Balogun plays.
Confirming its appeal against Balogun’s clearance to play had been rejected, Belgium said: “To date, the Royal Belgian FA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure.
“Fifa has yet to provide us with a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report – this is a breach of Fifa regulations.
balo-ban
Fifa REJECT Belgium red card appeal as Balogun to play in USA World Cup clash
APPY DAYS
Best betting apps in the UK: Top mobile betting sites in July 2026
“The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.”
As refusing to play if Balogun is selected would lead to a forfeit, Belgium have indicated their likely actions.
CAS has the ability to hold an expedited hearing over the next 48 hours and make a final decision before the scheduled quarter-final date in Los Angeles on Friday.
Belgium will argue that the USMNT had fielded an ineligible player under Fifa’s regulations – that a player receiving a red card must have a mandatory minimum one game suspension.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
World Cup 2026 – all the info
The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands and Brazil have all been knocked out.
LATEST NEWS
KEY INFO
VIDEO
TIPS AND BETTING
If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Therefore, that would mean, under Fifa rules, the result would HAVE to be reversed with Belgium awarded a 3-0 win.
The threat comes after Uefa went to war with Fifa chief Gianni Infantino by branding the card sanction U-turn “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
Euro bosses were backed by Norway FA President Lisa Klaveness, who said: “We agree with Uefa’s position that an automatic suspension of at least one match following a red card is not subject to subsequent discretionary review.
“This principle is clearly established in FIFA’s own regulations.
“There is reason for concern regarding the integrity of the competition, political interference in sporting matters, and the credibility of football.”
