Balogun suspended for USA vs. Belgium after red card mars 2-0 win over Bosnia

Folarin Balogun is suspended for the United States’ World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium on Monday, after being sent off in the 64th minute of a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday.

Balogun is the USMNT’s top scorer at the 2026 World Cup with three goals — making him only the fifth American to reach that tally at a single tournament, joining Landon Donovan, Bert Patenaude, Clint Dempsey, and Brian McBride. His absence will be a significant blow to the United States’ attacking options against Belgium.

The red card was issued following a VAR review. Balogun was competing for the ball with Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic and stepped on the defender’s ankle as he fell. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before upgrading his decision to a straight red.

The dismissal gives Balogun a rare and unwanted piece of history: he is the first player to score a goal and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane against Italy in the 2006 final.

Despite the red card being confirmed through VAR, the United States can still appeal to FIFA’s disciplinary committee. If the appeal is upheld and the card is rescinded, Balogun would be cleared to face Belgium. The outcome of any such appeal would determine whether the USMNT’s leading scorer is available for one of the most consequential matches in recent American football history.