Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension remains one of the most bizarre chapters of the 2026 World Cup. While Gianni Infantino claimed an independent committee made the call, ‘The Times’ reports that a single individual, Mohammad al-Kamali, acted alone.
The 2026 World Cup has been overshadowed by several controversial flashpoints, but perhaps none more jarring than the decision to suspend the red card issued to Folarin Balogun. The reprieve cleared the forward to feature in the round of 16 against Belgium—a move that ultimately backfired for the United States.
According to ‘The Times’, it was a single individual, rather than an 18-man panel, who decided to place the sanction on hold and clear the forward for action. That individual was Mohammad Al-Kamali, the United Arab Emirates representative who chairs the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
Reports suggest Al-Kamali delivered the verdict without consulting the other 17 members of the committee, bypassing standard protocol. The move was reportedly justified by the limited time available to resolve.
The entire affair remains shrouded in mystery, with Donald Trump even claiming he personally called Gianni Infantino to demand the red card be rescinded for one of the star names of the United States.
Opting to suspend a red card rather than overturning it entirely is an unprecedented move in the history of the tournament. The World Cup lacks a formal competition committee structure similar to those found in other major football tournaments.
Ultimately, Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16, but his side suffered a crushing 1-4 defeat at the hands of Belgium.
