The Norwegian Football Federation is seriously weighing whether to take formal action against FIFA after one of the most contentious disciplinary decisions in World Cup history — a move that allowed United States striker Folarin Balogun to play in a last-16 tie despite being under an active one-match ban.
Balogun received a straight red card during the USA's 2-0 group stage victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under standard FIFA disciplinary rules, that should have ruled him out of the Americans' round of 16 clash against Belgium. Instead, his ban was suspended for 12 months with no explanation beyond a reference to an internal rule allowing punishments to be deferred — a decision that came after a direct phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Norway Weighing Formal Complaint
NFF president Lise Klaveness confirmed her federation reacted with "strong concern" and said a decision on filing a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee would be made at its next board meeting. She linked it directly to an existing inquiry into FIFA's so-called peace prize, awarded to President Trump.
"It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to FIFA's ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding FIFA's so-called peace prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year," Klaveness said in a statement provided to the BBC.
Belgium Win But the Anger Doesn't Fade
Belgium ultimately won the match 4-1, meaning Balogun's reinstatement had no bearing on the final result. But that has done nothing to ease the frustration across European football. UEFA came out strongly, saying FIFA had "crossed a red line" and describing the decision as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable."
The Royal Belgian Football Federation pledged to "fight in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole." When Belgium submitted a formal request for an explanation, FIFA's disciplinary body ruled it "inadmissible" — effectively blocking any appeal.
Trump's Call and Infantino's Defence
Trump spoke publicly about the matter from the Oval Office: "I spoke to Gianni. I saw the play — that wasn't a foul. I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. I didn't tell him what to do," he said. Infantino maintained that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently, but the sequence of events has left many in world football deeply unconvinced.
IOC Also Keeping Watch
Reports have also emerged that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may look into Infantino's conduct, given that the Olympic Charter bars members from accepting government instructions. The IOC confirmed any complaints to its ethics commission remain confidential.
Balogun finished as the USA's top scorer with three goals. Belgium progressed anyway — but the political and ethical fallout from this episode is far from over, and threatens to cast a long shadow over FIFA's credibility as the sport heads into its next cycle.
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