2026 World Cup: "I always respect the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee" (G. Infantino, FIFA)

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them," Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said regarding the Balogun case on 6 July 2026.

United States forward Folarin Balogun was sent off with a straight red card for stamping on an opponent’s ankle during the United States-Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-0, San Francisco, 2 July 2026 CET) Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup.

He was due to serve a one-match suspension in the Round of 16 against Belgium on 7 July 2026 CET. However, the implementation of that suspension was subsequently suspended by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee…