Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas involved in furious argument about Folarin Balogun red card u-turn

Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas didn't hold back as they clashed over the controversial Folarin Balogun red card debate.

The 2026 World Cup has certainly been dramatic, with almost every round bringing its own controversial moment or off-the-pitch incident.

In the round of 16, undoubtedly the biggest controversy surrounded co-hosts USA and the suspension of their star striker Balogun ahead of their clash with Belgium.

During their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute following a challenge on Bosnia centre back Tarik Muharemović.

Typically, this meant that the the US would have to face Belgium in the round of 16 without their star player but, following an intervention from Donald Trump, FIFA confirmed that the one-match ban would be suspended for a year.

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee claimed that article 27 of their Disciplinary Code allowed them to suspend the ban, but the decision has been met with severe backlash from fans and pundits.

Among those outraged by the call, and by Trump's involvement in seeing the ban suspended, was Henry, who explained his outlook on FOX Sports.

He said: “What I said, I don't think people understood, when I raised Article 27, that was sarcasm, I thought people would understand that, but they didn't, so I'll say it again.

"I do agree with the fact that it wasn't a red, because if I was a player I wouldn't have accepted that, I don't agree with how they rescinded the red.

"What FIFA did wasn't right, it was the right thing in terms of not giving the red. It should have been a decision on the field, not after three or four days, I didn't agree with that at all.”

Fellow pundit and former US international Lalas then interrupted, asking: "Why wasn't it right?"

Henry replied: “Because it is not right. Article 27 doesn't say that, that's my opinion, what FIFA did, wasn't right, it wasn't a red, but what FIFA did, wasn't right, it fired up Belgium. Look at the celebration, the dancing at the end, everything that was there. It wasn't right.”

But Lalas wasn't backing down, referencing Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension that was controversially overturned ahead of the World Cup.

He said: “So Ronaldo shouldn't have played in the World Cup either?”

To which Henry added: “No, you say whatever you want to say, I'm talking about the Balogun situation, let's talk about Cristiano Ronaldo (after Portugal exited the World Cup following defeat to Spain)."

Things continued to escalate as both men got increasingly angry at his fellow host, with Lalas again asking: “Hold on, what's not right about it?”

Henry doubled down saying: “That's my opinion.”

Lalas argued that FIFA “didn't break any rules or regulations,” but Henry, clearly frustrated, continued to reiterate that he didn't agree with the decision.

Finally, Lalas summarised his argument, saying: “The right decision was come to by the wrong way also when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

With Henry ending the decision, claiming: “That's on you to talk about.”

Folarin Balogun breaks silence on red card u-turn

Ultimately, Balogun's inclusion in the Belgium clash was largely inconsequential, as the Monaco striker failed to get on the scoresheet during the emphatic 4-1 loss.

READ MORE: USA fans single player out for catastrophic World Cup exit to Belgium

But that won't stop questions about the decision, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino's relationship with Trump, being raised in the near future.

With that in mind, Balogun himself addressed the u-turn post-match, assuring the media that he played no role in his red card being suspended.

"Of course, it's controversial when the decision is overturned," Balogun told reporters after the loss to Belgium.

"We accepted the decision when I saw the red card, and we accepted the decision when we were told I could play.

"I was not involved in the process. It had nothing to do with me personally."