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Folarin Balogun’s teammates came to his defense after the American World Cup star received a red card during the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Balogun received a red card after stepping on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus only gave Balogun the card after a VAR review. The red card means Balogun will be unable to play in the team’s round of 16 tie against Belgium.
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Folarin Balogun, right, of the United States, stands aside after receiving a red card from referee Raphael Claus of Brazil as Weston McKennie (8) of the United States looks on during the 32nd World Cup soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
A FIFA official told The Athletic that a team cannot appeal the red card or suspension. The official highlighted part of the organization’s rules and regulations, which states: “An expulsion automatically results in a suspension from the next match. FIFA’s judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”
Balogun’s teammate Weston McKennie called the lack of an appeal process “wrong” and disagreed with the referee’s decision to issue the red card.
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Sead Kolasinac (5) of Bosnia talks with Folarin Balogun of the United States after Balogun’s expulsion, as Christian Pulisic (10) looks on, during the 32 World Cup match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Julio Cortés / AP)
“Obviously the referee made a decision that he made, but I think it’s debatable,” McKennie said. “I think there have been a lot of other actions like this throughout the tournament on other players where no cards were given. It’s disappointing.”
US coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun’s act “was never intentional”.
“It’s never a red card. Never… If the intention is to hurt the opponent, okay, I understand. But that was never the case. It was a normal action in football to fight for the ball and have your feet land,” he said.
Balogun is the third player to score in a World Cup knockout match and be sent off. He follows Brazil’s Ronaldinho in the 2002 quarter-final against England and France’s Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to American Folarin Balogun, right, during FIFA World Cup 32 between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortés)
This is the fifth red card given to an American in the team’s World Cup history.
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Eric Wynalda received one against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo got one against Brazil in 1994 and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope each received one against Italy in 2006.
