REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - United States v Belgium - Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. - July 6, 2026 Belgium coach Rudi Garcia with Folarin Balogun of the U.S. after the match
The U.S. Men’s National Team has long-since been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after crashing out in the round of 16 to Belgium, 4-1.
However, even one week later, there’s still plenty of talk surrounding FIFA’s controversial decision to rescind the red card given to star striker Folarin Balogun in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina without a proper appeals process.
FIFA’s decision to rescind the card came only after United States President Donald Trump reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the decision, and FIFA did not give an explanation for the change.
Now, it appears the matter has taken a new twist that shines it in an even worse light.
FIFA Official Went Rogue To Rescind Folarin Balogun’s World Cup Red Card
FIFA’s official disciplinary committee is made up of 18 members from different countries. However, according to a new report from The Times of London, disciplinary chair Mohammad al-Kamali, who is from the United Arab Emirates, acted on his own and without the advisement of the other members in order to overturn Balogun’s red card.
The report goes on to state that it’s not entirely uncommon for one member to act unilaterally.
The Times states that several previous FIFA disciplinary cases have been decided by one committee member. Typically, that member is deputy chairman Jorge Palacio of Colombia. However, Kamali had never been the sole arbiter of a disciplinary committee decision.
Additionally, larger cases are typically determined by a three-person disciplinary committee.
Ultimately, the decision had no bearing on the outcome of the game. But it’s certainly not the best look for FIFA to break several protocols in order to aid the USMNT.