The United States men’s national team’s impressive 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup journey hit a snag due to a critical moment involving their star striker, Folarin Balogun. In a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Round of 32, Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the team.
FIFA has confirmed that Balogun will be suspended for the U.S.’s Round-of-16 clash with Belgium, scheduled for July 6, as reported by The Athletic’s Tom Bogert. If the team advances to the quarterfinals, Balogun will be eligible to return.
Addressing the incident for the first time at a training session, Balogun expressed relief that his suspension is limited to one game. He shared his perspective on the red card, stating, “It’s important for me to say, obviously, first, it was totally unintentional, which I’m sure a lot of people know.” He believed a yellow card would have been a fair decision.
Balogun explained the situation that led to the card: both he and Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic were pursuing the ball when Balogun’s boot inadvertently clipped Muharemovic’s calf. This prompted a VAR review and the subsequent red card decision. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stated, “For me, never is a red card,” indicating Balogun’s challenge lacked harmful intent. Christian Pulisic also defended Balogun, saying, “He didn’t deserve the red card.”
Balogun admitted to feeling a mix of emotions following the incident, describing it as an emotional “roller coaster” over the past two days. “I’ve been upset. I’ve been happy. It’s been surreal, to be honest,” he said. Despite his disappointment, Balogun emphasized the need to maintain composure and act as a role model, especially for young fans.
The match marked an unusual record for Balogun; he became the first player to score a goal and receive a red card in the same men’s World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane in 2006. He had put the U.S. ahead 1-0 in the 45th minute before the unfortunate red card.
Despite the setback, Balogun is optimistic about the team’s supportive atmosphere and their focus on the upcoming match against Belgium. As Balogun remarked on the support he and the team receive, the USMNT aims to advance in the tournament without their leading scorer.
Balogun’s absence leaves a significant gap in the lineup, as he leads the team with three goals in his debut World Cup. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will need strategic planning to fill the void left by Balogun, aiming to guide the team to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.