USMNT's Folarin Balogun Could Face Multi-Match World Cup Suspension: Report

The USMNT defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California, marking the team’s second-ever win in the knockout stages of a World Cup.

The first came in 2002 when the U.S. famously went all the way to the quarterfinals before falling 1-0 to Germany.

With the victory, Team USA now heads to Seattle for a Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday, July 6. But it’s looking like they may have to do it without arguably their best player of the tournament so far, Folarin Balogun.

Balogun had just given the U.S. a 1-0 lead right before halftime, scoring his third goal of the World Cup, before a controversial call in the second half saw him get sent off. In the 64th minute, referee Raphael Claus went to the monitor and came back to issue Balogun a red card, ruling that he had dragged his cleats down the back of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg and foot.

Everyone in the stadium, including Balogun, was shocked by the call. The U.S. played the rest of the second half with a man down, and even managed to score a second goal from Malik Tillman in the 82nd minute.

But on Thursday morning, things got even worse as ESPN’s Mark Ogden reported that the USMNT has no route to appeal the red card for Balogun, confirming that he will miss the high-pressure clash against Belgium on Monday.

Worse yet, Balogun could face an extended suspension if FIFA’s disciplinary panel decides his challenge on Muharemovic warranted more than the standard one-match ban that comes with any red card.

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This morning has been flooded with fans and analysts urging for an appeal, arguing that the play did not warrant a call at all. Now, there’s a chance that even if the United States beats Belgium, Balogun could face added discipline and potentially miss more games.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino voiced his frustration after the match, calling the send-off “never a red card” and insisting it was a “normal action” in soccer, and not intentional.

And unfortunately, history has already shown us that things could get much worse for Balogun and Team USA.

Earlier this tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo saw his one-match ban extended to five games after his challenge on Canada’s Ismael Kone resulted in a broken leg. Balogun’s case was obviously far less severe, but this wouldn’t be the first time FIFA has taken extreme measures.

Belogun leads the USMNT in scoring and has been the team’s most reliable offensive weapon. Without him, Pochettino likely turns to Ricardo Pepi, who started against Turkey and Australia in the group stage, or shifts around Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tillman up top.

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This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 12:34 PM.