US forward Balogun suspended after red card in World Cup round of 32
Folarin Balogun received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic and will miss the United States' last-16 match against Belgium, with no appeal permitted under FIFA rules.
Folarin Balogun was sent off in the United States' 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night in Santa Clara. The 24-year-old forward received a straight red card after a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic was judged a "serious foul" by referee Raphael Claus following a VAR review.
The United States went on to add a second goal through Malik Tillman's late free kick and will meet Belgium in the last-16 on July 6. Under FIFA regulations for the 2026 World Cup, a direct red card triggers an automatic suspension from the team's next match, and any remaining ban carries over to the team's subsequent official fixture.
FIFA officials confirm that red-card suspensions cannot be appealed; Article 66.4 of the competition's regulations states that a sending-off automatically incurs a suspension, and the disciplinary committee may impose additional sanctions.
Balogun will be allowed to attend the Belgium match in a limited capacity, such as sitting in the stands away from the field, but he cannot enter the team’s technical area, dressing room, or sit on the bench during the game.
