United States forward Folarin Balogun has broken his silence on the controversial red card he received, stating that the decision was "not the correct call" and that a yellow card would have been a fairer outcome. The striker will miss Monday's Round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium as a result of the suspension.
Balogun was ejected from the United States' previous game after stepping on an opponent's ankle while going for a loose ball. The play was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), which led to the red card.
"First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I'm sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don't think it was the correct call," Balogun told reporters Friday. "I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There's not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it's happened, and it's something that I have to accept and move forward from."
Despite his disagreement with the ruling, Balogun acknowledged the need to maintain composure, particularly for younger fans. "There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust," he said. He also expressed gratitude for the support he and the team have received.
Under the 2026 World Cup regulations, "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Additionally, Article 10.5 states that a player receiving a direct or indirect red card will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match.
FIFA confirmed that Balogun's suspension is limited to the Belgium game, making him eligible to return for a potential quarterfinal match if the U.S. team advances. The United States is preparing to play their most significant game in program history without one of their key performers.
Former USA World Cup player John Harkes, who himself faced suspension for yellow card violations, has called for FIFA to reconsider its red card rules following the incident.