Which is a breach of FIFA regulations," the RBFA said.
The team formally notified American soccer executives that they disputed the lineup prior to kickoff.
"The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee's team sheet.
This leaves all further actions open," the RBFA added.
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia expressed sarcasm regarding the timing of the clearance during his pre-game press conference.
"I didn't know that July 5 was equal to April 1 at FIFA," Garcia said.
The head coach emphasized that the protest focused on institutional integrity rather than the opposing team.
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"We're not defending the national team or federation," Garcia said. "We're defending in football.
… It's the first time in World Cup history that such a decision is taken. I am a head coach, I will focus on my team, on tomorrow's game.
Regardless of the 11 starting players from the U. S.
, I will focus on my team."
FIFA dismissed the initial complaints filed by the Belgian delegation before the game commenced, as reported by The Mirror, calling them "inadmissible."
The Belgian federation reiterated its stance in a separate public communication regarding the dispute, stating "This leaves all further actions open."
The governing body failed to provide documentation to the European nation throughout the pre-match process.
"To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure," the RBFA said.
