SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun has no option to appeal the red card that left him suspended for the U.S. men's national team's Round of 16 match against Belgium , meaning the USMNT needs to plan for life without its star striker.
Article 66.4 of FIFA's regulations states that, "A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures."
In more plain terms, that means a player can be suspended for more games, but not have an automatic red-card suspension reduced.
Folarin Balogun (center) is consoled by Giovanni Reyna (left) and Tim Weah after receiving a red card in the second half which forced him to exit the match in the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif. Reuters
"Typical FIFA," midfielder Tyler Adams said when told of that rule after the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
The collision between Balogun and Tarik Muhamerovic was not given any discipline on the field, and the red card was handed out after a VAR review. A VAR review can only give out a red card or nothing, leaving out the middle ground — which the contact between the two seemed to fall into — as an option.
"You're asking the wrong person, with how I tackle," Adams said of his opinion on the ruling. "Do you know what I mean? I think it's a yellow card. I think when you slow everything down, it's always gonna look worse. I don't want to say too much."
Before players went through the mixed zone, a USMNT spokesman showed reporters a collage of fouls committed on the national team during the World Cup that were not carded.
Without Balogun, it seems likely that Ricardo Pepi , who started against Australia in a front two with Balogun, will start against Belgium.
Pepi made a brief cameo Wednesday, coming on in the 88th minute.
Folarin Balogun (right) was giving a red card after fouling Tarik Muharemovic during the second half of the USMNT's win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. AP
Haji Wright would also be an option, but has played just one minute across six games since the U.S. roster was named in late May.
"I'm happy we won the game, but Balo is an important part of our team. It's a disappointing way for him to miss the next game," Wright said. "I'll always be ready for whatever comes."
Mauricio Pochettino could also try Christian Pulisic up front — an option that did not go well when attempted in March — or someone like Weston McKennie or Gio Reyna.
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Ideas like that, though, might require rethinking much of a tactical setup that has been incredibly successful throughout the World Cup, whereas Pepi or Wright would be plug-and-play options.
Mark McKenzie (irritated foot) and Cristian Roldan (quad strain) did not dress.
Auston Trusty was available as a substitute after dealing with an ankle issue in the lead-up to the game, but didn't play.
