Balogun red card U-turn prompts Belgium to withdraw support for Infantino

Belgium’s football federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to run for a fourth term as FIFA president, citing his handling of a controversial red card reversal of USA player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup and his plans to sell stakes in future world championships to private investors.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) released a statement on Monday, saying it rued Infantino’s lack of transparency in both issues and emphasised that it could not support the FIFA president.

FIFA confirmed Infantino’s intention to stand for re-election on Sunday, saying he had never changed the plans announced earlier this year and that he will throw his name in the hat for the March 2027 vote.

The 56-year-old has lost support from several national associations and regional confederations since announcing his sell-off plan, which he eventually abandoned due to mounting pressure and growing backlash.

He was also the subject of criticism during the World Cup, when United States President Donald Trump thanked football’s world governing body for reversing USA forward Balogun’s red card before their crucial round of 16 match against Belgium.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Unsurprisingly, the US football body welcomed FIFA’s decision to allow their leading World Cup goal scorer to play in the crucial knockout match.

“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary ⁠⁠⁠⁠Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun ⁠⁠⁠⁠is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said in a statement.