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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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.”
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“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.
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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.