FIFA Accused Of Giving U.S. Soccer 'Preferential' Treatment Sunday

In a stunning, unprecedented move, FIFA has overturned Folarin Balogun's red card punishment, a little more than 24 hours away from the U.S. vs. Belgium Round of 16 game on Monday evening. The Athletic broke the stunning news. Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match ...

by Andrew Holleran

Jul 5, 2026

U.S. star gets red card.

In a stunning, unprecedented move, FIFA has overturned Folarin Balogun's red card punishment, a little more than 24 hours away from the U.S. vs. Belgium Round of 16 game on Monday evening.

The Athletic broke the stunning news.

"Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium with his one-game red-card ban suspended, sources briefed on the process have told The Athletic," the outlet reported.

"The 25-year-old received a straight red card on against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, a sanction which is automatically accompanied by a one-game suspension under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s rules for the tournament.

"Multiple FIFA officials told The Athletic after the game that a team is not able to appeal against a red card or the subsequent suspension."

July 1, 2026; Santa Clara, California, U.S.; Folarin Balogun of the U.S. celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: Phil Noble-Reuters via Imagn Images

It's a huge development for the U.S. team, which will look to make the Round of 8 for the first time since 2002.

However, the decision is not without controversy. Earlier in the tournament, FIFA officials had said that red cards, like the one given to Balogun, could not be overturned.

Now, fans are accusing FIFA of giving the U.S. "preferential" treatment.

'FIFA is rigged' accusations flying on Sunday

"So FIFA have unilaterally allow Balogun off Scot free from his red card? This is rigged, top to bottom," one fan wrote.

"I like how we all know this is rigged in some capacity and we all just accept it FIFA is the most corrupt sports organization out there," one fan added.

"People will say FIFA is rigged, but maybe they just decided to make the right decision for the first time in a long time??" one fan added.

"This won’t be great for the FIFA RIGGED allegations but I am smiling ear-to-ear," one fan added.

"It’s simply FIFA corruption. If you aren’t aware of how corrupt FIFA is and has been, do your research lol," one fan added.

U.S. soccer fans don't seem to care, though.

Game time for U.S. vs. Belgium is set for 8 p.m. E.T. on Monday night. The game will be airing on FOX.