2026 World Cup: Balogun Yes, Olise No. FIFA’s Decision Irks Fans

No repeat of the Balogun case: following the scandal that erupted in recent days over the overturning of the suspension of the U.S. forward—who was sent off in the match against Bosnia— the Disciplinary Committee has rejected France’s appeal regarding the yellow card received by forward Michael Olise during their victory over Paraguay in the tournament’s Round of 16.

“The yellow card stands. We received notification from FIFA this morning, and it remains in effect,” announced France’s head coach Didier Deschamps at a press conference on the eve of the match against Morocco.

The French Football Federation had requested that Olise’s yellow card be rescinded, arguing that the foul for which the French playmaker had been penalized had not occurred. In stoppage time, Olise was cautioned by the Uzbek referee following a scuffle with Matias Galarza: the Paraguayan defender had collapsed to the ground without being touched by the French star. Replays showed the dive, but Olise was cautioned anyway—unfairly.

In this case, however, FIFA decided not to overturn the on-field decision or rescind the yellow card, likely to avoid triggering a domino effect that could lead to a flood of other appeals.

Olise risks missing the semifinal if he receives a yellow card against Morocco. The Balogun case will thus likely remain an isolated incident, brought about by a specific call from the Oval Office. But Gianni Infantino may not get off so easily: calls are coming from many quarters for investigations and a process to remove the all-powerful FIFA president, who is increasingly linked to Donald Trump.