The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it had \u201cno alternative but to challenge (Balogun\u2019s) eligibility for the upcoming match.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also claimed FIFA \u201cdeliberately removed the section concerning the automatic suspension of players from its (pre-match) presentation,\u201d though it had \u201cbeen part of all such meetings before each of the previous four matches.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Folarin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-folarin-balogun-u-s-133400597_6bdf4c.jpg\")
Folarin Balogun of the U.S. during training ahead of Round of 16. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters<\/p>\n
The RBFA said it questioned FIFA on the change both orally and in writing, but did not receive a response.<\/p>\n
Belgium was granted the right to appeal the ruling on Monday, with both sides of the situation ordered to make submissions by 8 a.m. ET Monday ahead of a member of the FIFA appeals committee hearing Belgium\u2019s case.<\/p>\n
The RBFA said prior to sending the appeal it had requested a full explanation from FIFA of \u201cthe process\u201d and \u201capplicable regulations,\u201d and once again didn\u2019t receive anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal,\u201d the RBFA said. \u201cNo information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor an appeal to be admissible, FIFA\u2019s own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Belgium](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-belgium-coach-rudi-garcia-133413529_7ca638.jpg\")
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia during the press conference. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters<\/p>\n
The RBFA has been \u201cinvestigating all potential options\u201d to change FIFA\u2019s ruling since the reversal was announced, saying in doing so they were safeguarding \u201cthe legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belgium\u2019s coach Rudi Garcia made his stance against Balogun public<\/a>, saying that he \u201cdidn\u2019t know that July 5 was equal to April 1 at FIFA.\u201d<\/p>\n