World Cup 2026 Soccer USMNT striker Folarin Balogun handed red card in controversial World Cup call By Christian Arnold Published July 1, 2026, 9:48 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google The United States will play the rest of its Round of 32 match on Tuesday night without one of its best players.
Folarin Balogun was handed a controversial red card in the 64th minute while battling with Bosnia-Herzegovina for a ball.
The U.S. men’s national team was leading 1-0 at the time of the penalty, and Balogun had been the lone American scorer in the match.
Balogun’s right foot came down on the back of the leg and ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović.
Folarin Balogun was handed a red card in the second half. Getty Images Muharemović’s foot rolled in an awkward way, and he was down on the pitch for several minutes.
The officials reviewed the play and eventually ruled that it was worthy of a red card.
The decision will have an immediate and long-term impact on the U.S. men’s national team in the World Cup.
The red card means an automatic one-game suspension for Balogun in the tournament, which would mean that he would not be allowed to play in the next round against Belgium if the United States advances.
Balogun has been one of the USMNT’s best players during the World Cup, scoring a pair of goals in the group stage and then a goal in the Round of 32 on Wednesday night.
