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World Cup 2026: 'Is it April 1?' Belgium coach Garcia reacts to Balogun affair

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency In the courts
  • Belgium coach Rudi Garcia expressed ironic surprise at FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card.
  • Garcia questioned the timing, comparing it to April Fool's Day, and stated Belgium's federation is defending football's integrity.
  • Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois voiced concern over the "strange timing" and the dangerous precedent set, but affirmed the team's focus on the match.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia reacted with irony to FIFA's decision to overturn the red card suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun, who was set to miss the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. Garcia sarcastically questioned the timing of the decision.

I didn't know that July 5 corresponded to April 1 at FIFA.

— Rudi GarciaThe Belgium coach expressed ironic surprise at FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card.

"I didn't know that July 5 corresponded to April 1 at FIFA," Garcia stated at a pre-match press conference. He added that the Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) is defending the interests, ethics, and integrity of football. The URBSFA had previously expressed "stupefaction" and announced it would conduct a thorough review to protect the legitimate rights of participating nations and the fundamental principles of fair play.

It is never happened in the history of the World Cup. In doing so, the Belgian Federation (URBSFA) defends the interests of football, its ethics and its integrity.

— Rudi GarciaGarcia commented on the URBSFA's stance regarding the Balogun red card decision.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also expressed concern about the "strange timing, on the eve of the match." He described the decision as setting a "dangerous and bizarre precedent" but assured that the team remains calm and focused on winning on the field, regardless of the opposing players. Courtois emphasized that it is up to the federation to react and protect football in general.

Strange timing, on the eve of the match. It creates a dangerous and bizarre precedent. But in the end, we can do nothing.

— Thibaut CourtoisThe Belgian goalkeeper voiced his concerns about the timing and implications of FIFA's decision.

Earlier, former US President Donald Trump reportedly personally asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review Balogun's red card and thanked the international federation for the suspension's reversal. Balogun received the red card during the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on an opponent's leg. FIFA regulations typically mandate an automatic one-match suspension for red cards, with no appeal possible by the sanctioned player's team.

As a group, we want to win on the field, regardless of the players facing us. It is up to the federation to react and protect football in general. We are just focused on the match.

— Thibaut CourtoisCourtois affirmed the Belgian team's focus on the upcoming match despite the controversy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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