Thomas Tuchel says FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension has left coaches unclear about how disciplinary decisions can be changed. Balogun was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA did not apply an immediate ban, leaving him eligible for the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium.
The case has drawn extra scrutiny because BBC Sport reported, citing CBS News, that US president Donald Trump spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino about the suspension before Balogun was reinstated. Trump later thanked FIFA publicly, while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned against political influence in football decisions.
Tuchel’s concern is also practical for England. Jarell Quansah was dismissed after a VAR review in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico, and Tuchel questioned whether teams now have a clearer route to challenge red cards, yellow cards, or VAR-led decisions. BBC Sport said it had been told the VAR protocol in the case was followed correctly.
The wider issue is whether FIFA’s disciplinary code and World Cup tournament regulations are being applied in a way teams can understand. With Quansah reportedly the 13th player sent off at the 2026 World Cup, the Balogun decision has raised a consistency question that could shape how federations respond to future dismissals.
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