### [2026-07-8](/feed/2026/07/8/index.md)

##### 2026 FIFA World Cup controversies
# Seventy-two lawmakers from the European Parliament call for an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino after FIFA lifted the red-card suspension on American striker Folarin Balogun. 




### Sources:

1. [Politico Europe](https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-lawmakers-press-football-chiefs-for-action-on-donald-trump-gianni-infantino-red-card-controversy-folarin-balogun/)

### Changes:

1. 72 lawmakers from the European Parliament call for an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino after FIFA lifted the red-card suspension on American striker Folarin Balogun.  _2026-07-08 21:49:34 (First version)_
1. Seventy-two lawmakers from the European Parliament call for an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino after FIFA lifted the red-card suspension on American striker Folarin Balogun.  _(Current version)_

### Related:

1. [ The European Parliament passes a resolution expressing regret over the decision of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, citing their responsibility for the massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. ](/feed/2026/07/8/the-european-parliament-passes-a-resolution-expressing-regret-over-the-decision-of-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelens.md) _Context: European Parliament_
2. [ The European Parliament passes a resolution expressing regret over the decision of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, citing their responsibility for the massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. [https:--tvpworld.com-94234914-ep-regrets-ukraines-disregard-for-polish-sensitivities (TVP World)]Polish Order of the White Eagle controversy](/feed/2026/07/8/the-european-parliament-passes-a-resolution-expressing-regret-over-the-decision-of-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelens.md) _Context: European Parliament_
3. [In association football, FIFA declares American forward Folarin Balogun eligible to face Belgium following an intervention by U.S. president Donald Trump. FIFA suspends his ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing it on a one-year probationary period while allowing the red card itself to stand. It became the first time since the introduction of FIFA's automatic suspension system that a World Cup red card suspension is overturned rather than served. ](/feed/2026/07/5/in-association-football-fifa-declares-american-forward-folarin-balogun-eligible-to-face-belgium-following-an-interventi.md) _Context: American, FIFA, Folarin Balogun, red-card_
4. [Iranian Americans hold protests outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against the Iran regime and the team's participation in the FIFA World Cup ahead of its matchup against New Zealand. Additionally, protesters are seen with the Iranian Lion and Sun flag despite FIFA banning the flag from appearing at matches. ](/feed/2026/06/15/iranian-americans-hold-protests-outside-sofi-stadium-in-inglewood-california-against-the-iran-regime-and-the-team-s-pa.md) _Context: FIFA_
5. [The president of the Iranian football federation says FIFA has approved the country's World Cup training base being switched from the United States to Mexico due to the ongoing conflict. ](/feed/2026/05/24/the-president-of-the-iranian-football-federation-says-fifa-has-approved-the-country-s-world-cup-training-base-being-swit.md) _Context: FIFA_
6. [The European Parliament adopts a resolution supporting the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders for crimes related to the war in Ukraine and calls for sanctions to remain until a peace agreement is fully implemented. ](/feed/2026/05/1/the-european-parliament-adopts-a-resolution-supporting-the-establishment-of-a-special-tribunal-to-prosecute-russian-lead.md) _Context: European Parliament_
7. [FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirms that Iran's football team will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, including matches in the United States, despite the Iran war. ](/feed/2026/04/30/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-confirms-that-iran-s-football-team-will-participate-in-the-upcoming-fifa-world-cup-incl.md) _Context: FIFA, Gianni Infantino_
8. [FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists that the Iranian soccer team will play in the upcoming World Cup despite the war. ](/feed/2026/03/30/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-insists-that-the-iranian-soccer-team-will-play-in-the-upcoming-world-cup-despite-the-war.md) _Context: FIFA, Gianni Infantino_
9. [The European Parliament and the European Council approve Bulgaria's request to adopt the euro, which will replace the lev as Bulgaria's official currency on 1 January 2026. ](/feed/2025/07/8/the-european-parliament-and-the-european-council-approve-bulgaria-s-request-to-adopt-the-euro-which-will-replace-the-le.md) _Context: European Parliament_
10. [FIFA suspends the Republic of the Congo and Pakistan from official international competitions for violations of its statutes, citing third-party interference in the Congolese Football Federation and the Pakistan Football Federation's failure to implement constitutional reforms ensuring fair elections. ](/feed/2025/02/6/fifa-suspends-the-republic-of-the-congo-and-pakistan-from-official-international-competitions-for-violations-of-its-stat.md) _Context: FIFA_