Folarin Balogun red card, explained: What controversial call means for USMNT star’s availability for Round of 16 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The United States felt they had a soft draw when they were matched up against Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
However, the task became much more difficult just past the hour mark as Folarin Balogun was sent off after a pitch-side review by the referee.
With the USMNT leading 1-0 on a first-half goal from Balogun, the AS Monaco striker was given a straight red card that reduced Mauricio Pochettino's side to 10 men, forcing the World Cup co-hosts to protect their slim lead for half an hour in order to reach the Round of 16.
The Sporting News explains why Balogun was dismissed and what it means for the USMNT going forward in one of the most pivotal and game-changing referee decisions of the World Cup thus far.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
The United States felt they had a soft draw when they were matched up against Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
However, the task became much more difficult just past the hour mark as Folarin Balogun was sent off after a pitch-side review by the referee.
With the USMNT leading 1-0 on a first-half goal from Balogun, the AS Monaco striker was given a straight red card that reduced Mauricio Pochettino's side to 10 men, forcing the World Cup co-hosts to protect their slim lead for half an hour in order to reach the Round of 16.
The Sporting News explains why Balogun was dismissed and what it means for the USMNT going forward in one of the most pivotal and game-changing referee decisions of the World Cup thus far.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
29 days ago
