Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has launched a sharp rebuke of FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension, dismissing the ruling as an "April Fools" stunt ahead of the two nations' World Cup round-of-16 encounter.

Balogun had been facing a one-game ban following his red card during the United States' last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Monaco forward was dismissed for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to defer the suspension for a 12-month probationary period, freeing Balogun to take part in the Seattle showdown against Belgium and any further matches the United States may play in this tournament.

Garcia hits back at the ruling

The Red Devils' manager was unsparing in his criticism. "I thought the World Cup was in July, not April. It's now April Fools," Garcia said. He also framed the issue as one that stretched beyond national interest: "We're not defending the national team or the federation. We're defending football."

Garcia's comments came after the Royal Belgian Football Association publicly condemned the decision on Sunday. The reversal reportedly followed lobbying from US President Donald Trump, a claim that only intensified the backlash from across the football world.

Neville adds his voice

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville was equally forthright in his condemnation, telling ITV: "It absolutely stinks, let's be really clear."

Neville acknowledged that he personally did not believe the original red card against Balogun was warranted, but insisted that the manner of the reversal was the real problem. "If there's no process for it to be overturned and then somehow FIFA, from nowhere, have just decided to basically let a player play — and the rules are the same for everybody else — I would be absolutely raging if I was Belgium," he said.

"Are we surprised? No, no with this lot," Neville added.

The winner of the Belgium–United States tie will advance to a quarter-final against either Portugal or Spain. The suspension, meanwhile, will only be reinstated if Balogun commits a similar infringement before his 12-month probationary period expires.