Controversy over Balogun’s red card decision

By Arjun Nair / 06.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 6 July 2026 — 3 min read

Controversy over Balogun’s red card decision

England coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed confusion regarding the disciplinary process at the World Cup, following FIFA’s decision not to ban United States striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had received a red card during a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which would typically result in an automatic suspension for the subsequent last-16 tie against Belgium. However, FIFA chose not to enforce an immediate suspension, allowing Balogun, a key goalscorer for the co-hosts, to remain available for play.

Reports indicate that Balogun’s reinstatement occurred after US President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the suspension. On Sunday, President Trump publicly thanked FIFA for what he described as “reversing a great injustice.”

The decision has drawn criticism, including from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who stated on social media that “football must never become a playground for political power.” Blatter, who was replaced by Infantino in 2016, has frequently criticised decisions made during Infantino’s presidency. He emphasised that red cards are typically overturned based on rules, evidence, and independent bodies, not political phone calls.

Tuchel questions consistency and VAR intervention

Tuchel’s comments came after Jarell Quansah was sent off during England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico. When asked if he would petition FIFA to cancel Quansah’s ban before the quarter-final match against Norway, Tuchel questioned the consistency of the rules.

“Where does this start and where does it end now?” Tuchel asked, highlighting the uncertainty created by the recent decision. He further questioned the grounds on which decisions are overturned and how far such interventions might extend. Both Balogun and Quansah’s red cards were issued following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

Tuchel believes that the intervention regarding Balogun, which is unprecedented since automatic bans for red cards were introduced at the World Cup, has led to confusion about the regulations. He argued that Balogun’s initial red card was not justified, despite VAR involvement and the subsequent decision by the referee and VAR officials.

He also raised concerns about the VAR process in Quansah’s case. Tuchel noted that the foul was not initially called by the referee, suggesting it was deemed a hard but acceptable tackle. However, VAR intervened, leading to the red card. Tuchel expressed disappointment, stating that decisions should not be made based on still images from a football match.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender, Quansah, received his red card in the 54th minute for a sliding challenge that caught Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo high on the shin. Balogun’s red card was for his foot landing on the ankle of Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic, causing it to buckle. Apart from Balogun, the other players who received red cards at the 2026 World Cup have served a suspension for their country’s next match.

Impact and reactions to the decision

FIFA enacted a clause in its disciplinary code that allows it to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” This action appears to contradict the tournament’s regulations, which state that a player receiving a red card is automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. While many US fans and head coach Mauricio Pochettino have expressed satisfaction, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia voiced his anger. The Belgian federation is reviewing its legal options in response to the ruling.

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken also criticised FIFA’s decision, calling it a “big mistake” and expressing sympathy for the United States, suggesting that any victory might be tainted by the controversy. He added that the decision was “not good for the sport.”

The controversy surrounding Balogun’s red card and its subsequent lifting has become a significant talking point of the tournament, adding further scrutiny to FIFA’s handling of disciplinary matters. The US men’s national team is scheduled to play Belgium in the last-16 match.

Source: bbc.com