NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
United States World Cup star Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play in Monday’s Round of 16 match against Belgium after all the fuss over a red card he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun received the red card after stepping on the foot of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. The red card was given after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus stopped the match for the VAR to review whether Balogun had committed a serious foul.
ZERO BS. ONLY DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Folarin Balogun of United States of America leaves the field after receiving a red card during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between United States of America and Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
It was ruled that Balogun did do so and he was expelled.
The Athletic, which first reported on Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
“If the beneficiary of a suspended sanction commits another infraction of a similar nature and severity during the trial period, the suspension will be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction will be executed without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infraction,” the rule adds.
FOX Sports confirmed that Balogun could play. The report noted that the work should not have been notified to Claus.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Folarin Balogun (20) of the United States and Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States wait after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
FIFA confirmed that the suspension was suspended for a one-year probationary period.
“We accept the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and are pleased that Folarin Balogun will be eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said. “All of our attention is focused on the round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our incredible fans.”
Balogun scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He spoke to reporters on Friday about the red card.
“First of all, it was totally involuntary, which I’m sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the referee’s choice was, of course, his choice, but I don’t think it was the right decision,” he said. “I think a yellow card would have been fair because it wasn’t intentional. There aren’t many places I can put my foot in such a scenario. But it happened, and it’s something I have to accept and move on.
“There have been a lot of different emotions. I’ve been upset, I’ve been happy, it’s been surreal to be honest,” he added. “But for me it was important to stay calm. I never want to react with anger and emotion. There are still a lot of people we inspire. The little kids, the boys and the girls, are watching. We have to show them the right way to handle things, even when they think it’s unfair, so I felt like I did that. I’m happy with the support, not just the support I’m getting but the team. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium.”
US Soccer had no way to appeal the ruling. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads: “Protests may not be lodged against the referee’s decisions regarding facts relating to the game. Such decisions are final and are not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
“If a player or a team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second warning), he will be automatically suspended from his team’s next match,” adds article 10.5.
