Belgium Prepared for Match Without US Star Then FIFA Reversed Suspension Hours Before

What was said

"Belgium prepared for a knockout match believing that Balagan would be suspended. Then suddenly he was available. That changes preparation. It changes defensive planning. Belgium said they were astonished. Their federation argued that the decision contradicted World Cup regulations."

Belgium's national team prepared their defensive strategy for the World Cup knockout match against the USA under the assumption that star striker Folarin Balogun would be suspended, only to have FIFA reverse the decision on Saturday shortly before the match. The Belgian federation called the reversal astonishing and contradictory to World Cup regulations, leaving open the possibility of legal action. The timing of the decision fundamentally altered Belgium's tactical preparation in a way critics argue no other nation would have received.