Balogun red card against Bosnia triggers Domino's $1 million free pizza giveaway for US fans

Folarin Balogun’s second-half red card in the United States’ 2-0 World Cup round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara on Wednesday did more than cost him a place in the next game — it triggered a $1 million pizza giveaway from Domino’s.

The pizza chain had announced the promotion back in May, pledging to distribute $1 million worth of its “Emergency Pizzas” if any US player received a red card during the tournament. After referee Raphael Claus dismissed Balogun for digging his studs into the calf of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic, Domino’s confirmed the deal was on.

More than 60,000 customers who had registered before the tournament began and enrolled in Domino’s rewards programme were randomly selected to receive a free medium, two-topping pizza. Winners were told to check their rewards accounts on 2 July, with the prize redeemable until 2 August.

Domino’s declined to comment directly on the red card in an Instagram Stories post, but added: “A promise is a promise for those that signed up.”

“Soccer gurus know the worst thing to happen in a game is for a player on the team you’re rooting for to receive a red card,” Kate Trumbull, Domino’s executive vice president, said in the original May press release. “If that happens to the American squad, Domino’s is here to help ease the pain by giving away Emergency Pizzas. It may not change the outcome of the match, but it can provide a delicious pick-me-up when it’s needed most.”

Despite finishing with ten men, the United States secured their second-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory and advanced to the round of 16, where they face Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Balogun, however, will serve an automatic one-match suspension and will miss that game.