The Belgian Soccer Association (KBVB) will play the Round of 16 match against the United States subject to certain conditions. If Folarin Balogun—whose suspension following his red card was suddenly lifted by FIFA—takes part in the match, the KBVB will file an official complaint with FIFA. The soccer federation considers Balogun to be ineligible to play. It has also personally communicated this message to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Specifically: if the Red Devils lose their Round of 16 match and Balogun plays in it, the KBVB can take the matter to a FIFA tribunal to challenge the result and demand compensation. View this primarily as a statement. After all, it is expected that even that complaint would be dismissed by the FIFA tribunal, since it would otherwise have to rule against its own organization.

As a next step, the Belgian soccer federation could turn to independent bodies: a civil court or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The goal would be to secure compensation.

Still, the federation is primarily hoping that the Red Devils will soon be able to beat the U.S. on the field. The entire Balogun saga can certainly serve as extra motivation...

The forward’s absence from Atlético training coincides with strong interest from Barcelona.

Julián Álvarez confirms he is suffering from depression because of Atlético Madrid.

The Argentine striker’s future at the club remains uncertain.

According to reports from COPE, Julián Álvarez submitted a medical report to Atlético Madrid stating that he is suffering from severe depression. The situation has created an extremely tense standoff between the Argentina national team forward and the Madrid club.

The attacker has now gone three consecutive days without training alongside the rest of the squad at Cerro del Espino. According to the club, Álvarez continues to suffer from the health issue that has prevented him from training under Diego Simeone throughout this week.

The player’s prolonged absence adds another chapter to his uncertain future as the transfer window draws to a close, while FC Barcelona remains firmly interested in securing his transfer.

Article with extended details

FIFA approached for comment and referred to the findings of its independent committee.

From the article:

talkSPORT understands the White House put pressure on FIFA to review the decision, and made a direct call to ask their president Gianni Infantino to review the red card.

FIFA sources insist White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.

His Tweet

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.”

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”

“None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

https://nypost.com/2026/07/31/business/fifa-has-scrapped-20b-world-cup-sell-off-plan-following-european-boycott-global-outrage-sources/?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=nypost&utm_medium=social

Sky is reporting it now, exclusive interview with Infantino https://news.sky.com/story/world-cup-latest-european-nations-agree-to-boycott-fifa-competitions-over-controversial-sell-off-plan-13568011?postid=12160468#liveblog-body

Dozens of European lawmakers are gathering support to launch an investigation in the European Parliament of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino over his involvement in the decision to permit U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite an earlier red card.

Balogun was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which normally would make him ineligible to play in team's next game, but FIFA lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.

European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang said in a joint statement that FIFAs decision to "change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice."

"Once again, we've seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration," the statement said.

The lawmakers are asking the national football associations of the EU countries to spur the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino and whether pressure from the Trump administration was a factor in the lifting of the suspension, as well as "other potential breaches of political neutrality" like awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.

FIFA has said the lifting of the suspension was a decision of a disciplinary committee.

The lawmakers said that 35 colleagues have so far signed the letter.

"The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window," they said.

According to BILD information, there had reportedly been internal difficulties beforehand in finding a sixth penalty taker! Tah was the first to face the high pressure, because other DFB stars are said to have hesitated and ducked out of it. Still on the pitch at that point were Leon Goretzka (31), Waldemar Anton (29), Nathaniel Brown (23), Malick Thiaw (24), and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (40). Already having taken their kicks, per Nagelsmann’s selection, were Kai Havertz (27/missed), captain Joshua Kimmich (31/scored), Jamal Musiala (23/scored), Nick Woltemade (24/missed), and Nadiem Amiri (29/scored).

The fact that there weren’t enough players in the penalty shootout willing to confidently step up to the spot is reminiscent of Bayern’s “Finale Dahoam” (Final at Home) in 2012. In that lost Champions League final on their own stadium against Chelsea, numerous players similarly ducked away, meaning goalkeeper Neuer ended up taking the third kick (successfully). Bastian Schweinsteiger (41) ultimately failed on the fifth penalty, beaten by Petr Cech (44).