Belgium has voiced strong opposition to FIFA's decision to allow U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to participate in a World Cup knockout match against them, with Belgian officials calling the ruling "incomprehensible" and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirming an appeal.

Balogun received a red card during the U.S.'s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, a sanction typically resulting in a one-game suspension. However, U.S. Soccer argued that the referee and video assistant referee improperly applied replay protocols. On July 5, FIFA announced that Balogun's one-match ban had been suspended for one year, making him eligible for the round of 16 game.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed his dismay, stating, "As a former football referee, I have always been committed to upholding the rules and ensuring decisions are fair. This decision clearly raises many questions." He further criticized the potential for external influence, adding, "If it really was a phone call that led to this incomprehensible decision, that would amount to undermining the most basic rules of football and sport."

The RBFA confirmed on Monday that it was appealing FIFA's decision, asserting it had "no alternative." The association stated its commitment to "defending the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole."

The appeal is set to be heard by a FIFA member not representing a country from either the European or North American, Central American and Caribbean soccer federations. There is no guarantee that the issue will be resolved before the match.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered a more lighthearted reaction, sharing an image of his cat with a caption suggesting Balogun would play regardless of a red card. Coach Rudi Garcia also commented on the timing of the ruling, jokingly comparing July 5 to April 1.

While rare, FIFA has suspended red card bans previously. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo had two matches of a three-match ban suspended after an incident in November, allowing him to play in all of Portugal's group games. The decision regarding Balogun's ban, however, has ignited significant controversy among Belgian fans and officials, with the New York Post reporting the intervention of President Trump with FIFA drawing outrage from European fans.