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World Cup 2026

Featured Replies

26 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

It’s the right decision though regardless of how it’s come about.

And Yes, CR7, Messi and POTENTIALLY Mbappe would’ve all received similar treatment.

Is it f**k the right decision, its corruption and cheating with interference from a government.

Edited by dkw

Balogun was born 25 years ago in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Nigerian parents who were living in London at the time, after airline staff reportedly refused to let his then-seven-months-pregnant mother fly home from a trip to New York City. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, anyone born on U.S. soil is granted citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

President Donald Trump took aim at that doctrine from the very first day of his second term, signing an executive order in January 2025 that sought to outlaw what is commonly known as birthright citizenship. If enacted, that could have affected over 250,000 babies born in the U.S. annually, according to research from the Migration Watch

Belgian FA statement, like that they've gone for an application of the rules rather than anything personal.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time).

FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.

Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5:

"If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."

The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.

Edited by dkw

1 hour ago, OTL said:

Americans should be embarrassed but they wont be.

Why? Is there evidence to confirm interring in any way?

Shouldn’t have been a red card. But two wrongs don’t make a right either - hard decision to explain, which is why they won’t.

Edited by PhilH930

Trump tried to influence ban of key US attacker

Donald Trump called the FIFA chief last Wednesday to ask him to review the ban on US attacker Folarin Balogun, our US partner network NBC News reports, citing a source familiar with the phone conversation.

This came before FIFA decided today to suspend Balogun's one-match ban in a striking move after the key attacker had been sent off in the last USA game.

The president and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino have grown extremely close, fostering a tight-knit relationship over the last few years.

Infantino and Trump at the White House in 2018

Infantino and Trump at the White House in 2018Reuters

The head of the governing body notably awarded Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize just last year in Washington DC.

Trump, the White House and its allies have posted various messages on social media celebrating FIFA's decision today.

The US president wrote on Truth Social: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"

52 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

It wasn’t a red. It was overturned.

People just love making headlines out of nothing.

You can’t retroactively punish a player for an essentially identical foul (Mr HGH’s which was less forceful but with a lot more intent) so the only fair thing to do was overturn the wrongful red for Balogun.

If it was in favour of an England player not a single person would be complaining instead they’d be championing the fairness of the decision being overturned.

But we live in a society where everything has to be controversial and sensationalised so…

It was a red and it still is a red.

It hasn't been overturned, the red card still stands it's just the punishment that has been suspended for a year

12 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

Why? Is there evidence to confirm interring in any way?

Shouldn’t have been a red card. But two wrongs don’t make a right either - hard decision to explain, which is why they won’t.

Why ? because the Americans are getting something based on people in areas of influence and not on merit. They may or may not go further in this competition due to incorrect processes, special conditions and or preferential treatment. Its rather embarrassing.

3 minutes ago, OTL said:

Why ? because the Americans are getting something based on people in areas of influence and not on merit. They may or may not go further in this competition due to incorrect processes, special conditions and or preferential treatment. Its rather embarrassing.

Perhaps. While not confirmed there are several reports emerging of pressure on FIFA. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and if true, that’s disappointing.

4 minutes ago, dkw said:

Big thunderstorm in Mexico city....uh oh...

soggy pitch.

Storm due to clear by the game time. . . but if they had brought the game on earlier like they had intended there might have been a problemo.

Belgian FA are taking a formal stance on this Balogun Issue. Mmm might not end too well for the Americans. As a minimum i think there could be a lot of support for Belgium in their next game. Fascinating to know what "exploring all options" will mean.

Edited by OTL

How have Brazil not scored yet. Missed penalty and several other clear cut chances. Some great saves.

A 30 min storm delay wouldn’t hurt us as have to do an airport run before the game (sorry to those staying up late in UK). But hopefully for the players and fans it’s all on time with no weather delay. Maybe the rain will cool it off a bit

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