Folarin Balogun faces suspension as USMNT prepares for Belgium
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 2, 2026, 2:46 AM
Last updated Jul 2, 2026
The United States has advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but may be without striker Folarin Balogun for their match against Belgium. Balogun received a straight red card during the Americans' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the team won the match, they now deal with the possibility of appealing the red card decision. FIFA has the authority to change suspension rules, allowing for an appeal process. The U.S. must submit an appeal to the FIFA disciplinary committee, which typically makes decisions within days during tournaments.
- •USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32.
- •Balogun scored the opening goal before receiving a red card.
- •The U.S. can appeal the red card decision for potential eligibility against Belgium.
- •FIFA disciplinary committee will review the appeal within days.
- 11:23 AMYahoo Sports — Can Folarin Balogun appeal suspension for controversial red card? FIFA clarifies
- 4:03 AMYahoo Sports — U.S. soccer cannot appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card suspension
- 3:53 AMYahoo Sports — Will Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card be struck off? No
- 3:53 AMThe Guardian Sport — Will Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card be struck off? No
- 2:46 AMYahoo Sports — Can FIFA rescind a red card after it's given? Explaining appeal rules regarding Folarin Balogun suspension
"Folarin Balogun’s red card was the only damper on the United States’ 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night to reach the World Cup last 16. The decision by referee Raphael Claus to give the US forward a straight red in the 64th minute after a VAR check on a tackle to the ankle of Tarik Muharemović means that Balogun will not be able to play against Belgium on Monday. Is there any chance the red card could be struck off, making the US’s leading scorer at this World Cup eligible for their biggest game in modern memory?
"Automatic one-game ban for red card cannot be appealed US can only appeal to change length of ban if increased Folarin Balogun’s red card was the only damper on the United States’ 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night to reach the World Cup last 16. The decision by referee Raphael Claus to give the US forward a straight red in the 64th minute after a VAR check on a tackle to the ankle of Tarik Muharemović means that Balogun will not be able to play against Belgium on Monday. Continue reading...
"The United States have advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they will have to prepare for their upcoming match against Belgium as if they will be without one of their best players.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 2, 2026, 11:23 AMCan Folarin Balogun appeal suspension for controversial red card? FIFA clarifies
Here's the latest info on if the United States can appeal Folarin Balogun's red card suspension after USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Yahoo SportsJul 2, 2026, 4:03 AMU.S. soccer cannot appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card suspension
FIFA has no mechanism that would allow the U.S. to contest a red card issued to top scorer Folarin Balogun, suspending him from the team's next match.
- Yahoo SportsJul 2, 2026, 3:53 AMWill Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card be struck off? No
Folarin Balogun’s red card was the only damper on the United States’ 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night to reach the World Cup last 16. The decision by referee Raphael Claus to give the US forward a straight red in the 64th minute after a VAR check on a tackle to the ankle of Tarik Muharemović means that Balogun will not be able to play against Belgium on Monday. Is there any chance the red card could be struck off, making the US’s leading scorer at this World Cup eligible for their biggest game in modern memory?
- The Guardian SportJul 2, 2026, 3:53 AMWill Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card be struck off? No
Automatic one-game ban for red card cannot be appealed US can only appeal to change length of ban if increased Folarin Balogun’s red card was the only damper on the United States’ 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night to reach the World Cup last 16. The decision by referee Raphael Claus to give the US forward a straight red in the 64th minute after a VAR check on a tackle to the ankle of Tarik Muharemović means that Balogun will not be able to play against Belgium on Monday. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 2, 2026, 2:46 AMCan FIFA rescind a red card after it's given? Explaining appeal rules regarding Folarin Balogun suspension
The United States have advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they will have to prepare for their upcoming match against Belgium as if they will be without one of their best players.
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