The United States is currently gearing up to play its biggest game in program history without arguably its top performer of this World Cup.
Folarin Balogun will have to sit out Monday’s Round of 16 matchup against Belgium after receiving a red card on an incidental, yet ugly-looking, play.
In going for a loose ball, Balogun and an opponent got incidentally tangled up to the point where Balogun stepped on the opponent’s ankle, causing it to roll awkwardly. The video assistant referee (VAR) ordered the play to be looked at, and Balogun’s transgressions were deemed “serious” enough for the red card.
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Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The red card not only ejected Balogun from the game and forced the USA to play the rest of the match with 10 men, but it also meant he would miss the team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday.
In his first public comments since the ejection (and suspension), Balogun said he disagreed with the ruling.
“First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I’m sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the correct call,” he told reporters on Friday. “I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There’s not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it’s happened, and it’s something that I have to accept and move forward from.”
Folarin Balogun of United States is shown a red card by Referee Raphael Claus during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Getty Images)
FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE RED CARD RULE CHANGE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY
“There’s been lots of different emotions. I’ve been upset, I’ve been happy, it’s been surreal to be honest,” he added. “But for me it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and emotion. There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust, so I felt I did that. I’m happy with the support, not just I’m receiving but the team. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium.”
Despite the controversial ruling, there was nothing the USMNT could do. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads, “No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
“If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match,” Article 10.5 states.
Folarin Balogun of United States of America walks off the field after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between United States of America and Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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FIFA did confirm that Balogun would only miss the Belgium game, so he is eligible to return to the quarterfinals if the USA wins on Monday.
