Folarin Balogun reflects on red card ahead of USMNT's Belgium match
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 7:15 PM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Folarin Balogun addressed the media on his 25th birthday after serving a one-match ban for a controversial red card during the USMNT's 2-0 World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun scored the opening goal but was sent off for a tackle in the second half. He expressed feelings of upset and surrealness regarding the red card, which he believes warranted only a yellow card. With Balogun suspended, the USMNT prepares for a last-16 clash against Belgium, where players such as Ricardo Pepi and Jordan Pefok may step in to fill the attacking void.
- •Balogun suspended for one match after red card.
- •He opened the scoring in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- •Balogun believes a yellow card would have been more appropriate.
- •USMNT faces Belgium in the World Cup last-16 match.
- •Pepi and Pefok considered to replace Balogun in the lineup.
- 7:15 PMThe Guardian Sport — ‘It’s been surreal’: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun moves on from controversial red card
- 7:15 PMYahoo Sports — ‘It’s been surreal’: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun moves on from controversial red card
"Folarin Balogun fielded questions on the morning of his 25th birthday, though the cards being discussed weren’t filled with kind notes and two-dollar bills. Per Fifa rules, the striker was unable to speak to the media following the United States’ World Cup last-32 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he opened the scoring in a commanding 2-0 win but was sent off after receiving a red card in the second half. As the clouds parted over Seattle on Friday to start the team’s second set of training days in the Pacific north-west, Balogun seemed to be closer to making peace with his certain absence for the last 16 against Belgium, even if he stopped short of validating the red card.
"Striker’s one-match ban will not be increased Balogun says yellow card would have been fair Pepi and Wright among options against Belgium Folarin Balogun fielded questions on the morning of his 25th birthday, though the cards being discussed weren’t filled with kind notes and two-dollar bills. Per Fifa rules, the striker was unable to speak to the media following the United States’ World Cup last-32 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he opened the scoring in a commanding 2-0 win but was sent off after receiving a red card in the second half. Continue reading...
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJul 3, 2026, 7:15 PM‘It’s been surreal’: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun moves on from controversial red card
Striker’s one-match ban will not be increased Balogun says yellow card would have been fair Pepi and Wright among options against Belgium Folarin Balogun fielded questions on the morning of his 25th birthday, though the cards being discussed weren’t filled with kind notes and two-dollar bills. Per Fifa rules, the striker was unable to speak to the media following the United States’ World Cup last-32 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he opened the scoring in a commanding 2-0 win but was sent off after receiving a red card in the second half. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 7:15 PM‘It’s been surreal’: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun moves on from controversial red card
Folarin Balogun fielded questions on the morning of his 25th birthday, though the cards being discussed weren’t filled with kind notes and two-dollar bills. Per Fifa rules, the striker was unable to speak to the media following the United States’ World Cup last-32 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he opened the scoring in a commanding 2-0 win but was sent off after receiving a red card in the second half. As the clouds parted over Seattle on Friday to start the team’s second set of training days in the Pacific north-west, Balogun seemed to be closer to making peace with his certain absence for the last 16 against Belgium, even if he stopped short of validating the red card.
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