FIFA set for rule change after Balogun red card row at the World Cup: reports

What the report says

FIFA is expected to consider a rule change that would stop disciplinary committees from overturning automatic suspensions handed down after red cards, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The issue comes from the controversy surrounding U.S. forward Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup, when his sending-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 was later reversed, allowing him to return for the United States’ next match.

Al Jazeera reports that the proposal is on the agenda for Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, the governing body’s first gathering since this year’s tournament. The 37-member council is expected to vote on whether such reversals should be barred in future World Cup cases. The Balogun decision drew criticism from football federations, former officials, coaches and experts, making it one of the tournament’s most disputed episodes.

The council meeting is also taking place amid broader scrutiny of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the organization’s governance. According to the report, members will discuss funding and other regulatory matters, while some senior football figures are seeking greater transparency over the Balogun case. More generally, FIFA has faced pressure in recent months over leadership decisions and proposed commercial changes, adding context to the rule review now under consideration.