Brussels: The Belgian Football Federation expressed its astonishment on Sunday following FIFA's controversial decision to lift the red card suspension of American striker Volarin Balogun. This decision permits Balogun to participate in the upcoming World Cup quarter-final match against Belgium.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the federation released a statement expressing their dismay at FIFA's ruling, which allows Balogun to play in the crucial match scheduled for Monday. The federation is actively "studying all possible options" in response to this unexpected development.

Balogun was initially set to be sidelined for the match after receiving a contentious straight red card. The card was issued after a VAR review during the U.S.'s last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Balogun was penalized for stepping on defender Tarik Maharimovic's foot. However, in a surprising turn of events, FIFA announced on Sunday that the red card suspension would be lifted. This decision drew a public expression of gratitude from U.S. President Donald Trump towards FIFA, the governing body of world soccer.