Historic World Cup furor at ‘incomprehensible’ FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025.

The Belgian soccer federation is challenging FIFA’s ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium’s statement came just 11 hours before kickoff in Seattle. European soccer body UEFA criticizes FIFA’s “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”

(Image credit: Chris Carlson)