Belgium withdraws support for Infantino over the Balogun case

The Folarin Balogun case continues to have repercussions two months after the 2026 World Cup. The Royal Belgian Football Association has decided not to endorse, for now, Gianni Infantino’s candidacy to remain FIFA president, arguing that the governing body has failed to provide sufficient answers over the controversy that allowed the U.S. striker to play against Belgium.

The decision comes two months after the incident that sparked one of the tournament’s biggest controversies. Balogun had been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina and, under normal circumstances, should have served a one-match suspension. However, FIFA put the sanction on hold, clearing the forward to face Belgium in the round of 16.

The decision generated even greater uproar after Donald Trump acknowledged that he had spoken to Infantino about the case. Balogun was ultimately available for a match the United States lost 4-1 to Belgium. For the Belgian federation, however, the controversy did not end with the final whistle.

Belgium demands explanations and sets conditions

The RBFA says it asked FIFA for a clear explanation of why Balogun’s suspension was modified and also sought clarification on how similar situations would be handled in the future. According to the federation, the response has not been sufficient.

“Two months after the events, we find that our questions remain unanswered to this day,” said Pascale Van Damme, president of the Royal Belgian Football Association.

The official also made clear that the federation’s objective is not simply to challenge a decision made during the World Cup, but to push for changes that would prevent similar situations from creating doubts in the future.

Van Damme explained that the federation wants the necessary explanations and intends to examine possible improvements to FIFA’s procedures, ensuring that cases of this nature are handled clearly and consistently.

The Belgian stance extends beyond the Balogun case. The RBFA has also questioned the handling of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a project linked to the commercialisation of World Cup rights that triggered a major dispute between FIFA and several European associations. In both matters, Belgium is calling for greater transparency.

The Balogun case will go before the FIFA Council

The controversy will now enter a new chapter. Belgium has requested that the Balogun case be placed on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled for October 15.

Van Damme is a member of the council, meaning she will have the opportunity to present the Belgian federation’s concerns directly to the body responsible for some of the most important decisions in international football.

The decision is significant because Belgium has chosen to distance itself from Infantino at a time when the FIFA president is seeking to remain in office. FIFA has confirmed that Infantino will stand for re-election in 2027. The Swiss official is seeking to remain in the position until 2031, which would be his fourth and final term.

European opposition, however, has grown in recent months. Belgium joins other federations that have withdrawn or questioned their support for Infantino, amid broader criticism of FIFA’s governance.

For Belgium, the Balogun case represents more than a disciplinary decision. It is a question of trust in FIFA’s procedures and in the way the governing body explains its decisions. For now, Belgium has made its position clear: Infantino will not have its support while these questions remain unresolved.

Belgium withdraws support for Infantino over the Balogun case

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