The Belgian Football Federation has officially lodged an objection against FIFA's decision to suspend the ban imposed on USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate in the Round of 16 match against Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.

In an official statement, the Belgian federation clarified that the relevant article on red cards in the disciplinary code clearly states that a straight red card carries an automatic one-match suspension. They consider the decision to suspend the punishment inconsistent with applicable regulations.

The statement added that allowing Balogun to play despite receiving a direct red card violates the principle of equal opportunity among teams and undermines the integrity of competition in the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Belgian federation's objection comes hours before the anticipated Round of 16 clash against the United States, as FIFA awaits whether it will issue an official clarification on the decision.