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FIFA dismisses Belgium's appeal and will let Folarin Balogun play for U.S.
By Graham Dunbar | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 6, 2026
· 4 min read
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 decis...
Key takeaway “It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup,” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Sunday after his team beat Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's eligibility to play in the World Cup against Belgium has significant implications for Los Angeles soccer fans. As the city prepares to host various international soccer events, the integrity of the game is under scrutiny. UEFA's strong criticism of FIFA's decision to defer Balogun's ban raises questions about the consistency of rules in international soccer competitions. This debate may resonate with local soccer enthusiasts who value fair play and transparency in the sport. The fact that the Belgian soccer federation is preparing an appeal in Seattle, just a short flight from Los Angeles, adds a layer of regional interest to the story. As the round of 16 game between the US and Belgium approaches, Los Angeles fans will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what it might mean for the future of international soccer competitions in their city.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 decis...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Graham Dunbar | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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