UEFA says decision by FIFA to let U.S. forward play at World Cup is ‘incomprehensible’

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) reacts to a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

2026-07-06T09:38:08Z

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer body UEFA criticized FIFA for an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” to let United States forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup against Belgium on Monday despite a red card in his previous game.

UEFA said in a statement FIFA “crossed a red line” with its decision not to enforce Balogun’s mandatory one-game ban, after coming under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump

“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not,” UEFA said, adding “the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”