USMNT’s Folarin Balogun became the recipient of the 12th red card of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for a challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic in a huge blow for the host nation.
Albeit completely accidental, slow-motion replays showed a horrendous challenge that was reviewed by VAR and gave the referee little choice but to show a straight red.
Balogun was trying to shield the ball but the defender did well to get in front and the attacker’s foot landed on Muharemovic’s ankle as it twisted into the turf.
It overshadowed another fantastic display for the frontman who, despite having an early goal chalked off for offside, responded with a clever run to give the USA team the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Soccer fans across America will now be wondering what that means as the USMNT managed to hold on and progress into the round of 16, where they will face Belgium.
How many games will Folarin Balogun miss after red card?
Straight red cards are punished by an immediate one-match suspension, according to World Cup rules, meaning Mauricio Pochettino will definitely be without Balogun in the next round.
The suspension could be increased further should the team progress from there, depending on how serious officials deem the challenge to be. It’s impossible to know whether the striker will face a longer ban at this stage.
The most recent example of an extended ban was Qatar’s Assim Madibo, whose suspension was extended to five games due to the injury suffered by Canada’s Ismael Kone during the group stages.
USA will face Belgium in the next round of World Cup
Thankfully, the 10 men remaining on the field extended their lead as Malik Tillman found the net from a free-kick with just eight minutes remaining, much to the relief of fans across America, to secure their place in the tournament.
They will face Belgium, who progressed after the most dramatic comeback of the tournament so far.
