Why can't USA appeal Folarin Balogun's red card vs Bosnia in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
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Balogun is set to miss the Round of 16 game against Belgium.
Folarin Balogun is set to miss the United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in the USMNT’s 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun was dismissed in the 64th minute for a seemingly unintentional foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarek Muharemovic when he was on the ball. Referee Raphael Claus did not give a foul, but VAR official Juan Soto sent him to the monitor. Replays revealed Muharemovic’s ankle rotated as Balogun stepped on him.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino vehemently opposed the decision.
“For me, never is it a red card,” Pochettino said during the post-match press conference. “It was a normal action in football that happened by accident. There was never any intention … and that is why, for me, it is never a red card.”
Will Folarin Balogun’s red card be appealed?
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After Folarin Balogun was sent off, the United States had no choice but to play the remainder of the game with 10 men. Balogun’s hopes of playing in the following round vanished.
A straight red card carries an immediate one-game punishment that cannot be challenged. The US may only appeal Balogun’s red card if the FIFA disciplinary committee adds an extra game to his punishment.
Even then, the US would only be allowed to appeal against the extra suspension; they may request a reduction from a two-game penalty to one, but not from two to zero or one to zero.
According to FIFA’s rule book, “if a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card [for a second yellow card], they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match.”
Rule 10.5 also specifies that further penalties can be added.
Without Folarin Balogun on the pitch, the US have a far more difficult challenge against Belgium. Balogun has emerged as the USMNT’s finest offensive player, scoring three goals in four games.
Without him on the pitch, Pochettino might start Ricardo Pepi up front or Christian Pulisic as the team’s striker, with another player on the flank, such as Timothy Weah.
Can USA appeal the Folarin Balogun red card?
According to FIFA rules, a direct or indirect red card cannot be appealed. The player is bound to miss the next game.
When will USA play Belgium?
They will play Belgium on 7th July, 5:30 am IST.
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