FIFA to amend disciplinary rules after Balogun red-card controversy at 2026 World Cup

FIFA will amend its disciplinary rules following controversy over its decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, a move that allowed the striker to feature for the United States against Belgium in the World Cup last 16.

The decision follows concerns raised by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which called on world football’s governing body to explain how the relevant regulations were applied and to provide greater clarity on future disciplinary cases.

Belgian FA president Pascale Van Damme confirmed after Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting in Zurich that FIFA plans to revise Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, according to Reuters.

The proposed changes will be presented for final approval at the next FIFA Council meeting in Doha on 16 December, the Belgian Football Association said.

Belgium seeks clarity over Article 27

Article 27 currently allows suspensions to be temporarily suspended in exceptional circumstances.

However, FIFA’s decision in Balogun’s case prompted questions about how the provision was applied and what criteria would determine whether similar suspensions could be lifted in future.

The Belgian Football Association said it had sought an explanation from FIFA but had not received a clear answer about the standards that would guide decisions in comparable situations.

The federation also called for greater transparency in the disciplinary process, requesting clearly defined criteria for exceptional circumstances and the right for national associations to present their cases during future disciplinary hearings.

“FIFA’s confirmation ​that Article 27 will be amended, following the request we had already submitted in ​July, is an important step. The proposed amendment, together with an explanation of the specific circumstances ‌of ⁠the Balogun case, will be submitted in Doha,” Van Damme said.

Political pressure concerns raised

The controversy also prompted questions about the independence of FIFA’s disciplinary process after US President Donald Trump admitted that he had personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s sanction.

The Belgian Football Association called on FIFA to provide assurances that the decision had not been influenced by external political pressure.

Seeking further accountability, the federation also requested that the Balogun case be formally included on the agenda of Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting.

Final approval expected in December

FIFA’s planned amendment represents a step towards revising the rules governing the temporary suspension of disciplinary sanctions.

The proposed changes, alongside an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the Balogun case, are expected to be submitted to the FIFA Council in Doha on 16 December for final approval.

The reform is intended to address concerns over how Article 27 is applied and provide greater clarity for national associations dealing with future disciplinary decisions.