FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Mohammad Al Kamali of the UAE, without consultation with the committee

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Fresh details have emerged over FIFA's controversial decision to lift the automatic suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further fuelling criticism of the governing body.

According to reports, the decision to defer Balogun's automatic one-match suspension was made solely by FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Mohammad Al Kamali of the United Arab Emirates, without consultation with the committee's other 17 members.

The decision allowed Balogun to play in the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous game. It marked the first time an automatic World Cup suspension for a red card had been deferred in this manner.

The controversy intensified after US President Donald Trump said he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the incident. Infantino acknowledged receiving the call but maintained that FIFA's independent judicial bodies handled the case without external influence.