Folarin Balogun, the United States men’s national team (USMNT) striker, will miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in Wednesday’s (July 1) round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to ESPN, there is no route for the USMNT to appeal the red card due to FIFA’s regulations, meaning Balogun must serve a minimum one-match suspension.

The incident occurred midway through the second half when Balogun was involved in a challenge with Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. Play was initially allowed to continue, but after intervention from video assistant referees (VAR), Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and issued a straight red card. Replays showed Balogun’s leg scraping down Muharemovic’s calf, which Claus deemed “serious foul play.”

Balogun, who scored the opening goal for the U.S. before being sent off, appeared shocked at the decision. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match, “For me, never is it a red card. Never was there intention to step on the player.” He added that Balogun was “sad” and “disappointed” in the locker room. Midfielder Weston McKennie called the lack of appeal options “a bit bogus,” saying that “every player is important” at this stage of the tournament.

The U.S. finished the match with 10 players but secured a 2-0 victory after Malik Tillman’s late free kick. Balogun is now just the fifth American to be sent off in a World Cup and the first to both score and receive a red card in a knockout game since Zinedine Zidane in 2006.

FIFA’s disciplinary code mandates a one-match ban for red cards but allows for a longer suspension if deemed appropriate. Since Balogun’s offense was considered “serious foul play” and not “violent conduct,” experts expect the ban to remain at one game, though FIFA’s disciplinary panel could decide otherwise.

The USMNT will face Belgium in the round-of-16 without Balogun, relying on other forwards like Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright to lead the attack. The team hopes to advance further, giving Balogun a chance to return later in the tournament if his suspension is not extended.

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Mike Jones

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