US soccer coach responds to World Cup red card suspension

The U.S. men's national team secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 after a shutout victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, but the Americans will take the pitch against Belgium without one of the team's key goal scorers, Folarin Balogun.

In the 64th minute of the match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, the striker, who scored the first goal in the 45th minute, clashed with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic and was shown a red card for a play that was initially not called a foul.

The contact had prompted the video assistant referee (VAR) to recommend an on-field review and eventually Balogun was issued a red card for serious foul play and automatically suspended for one game.

FIFA confirmed to ABC News that the call by the referee on the field is final and not able to be overturned or appealed.

As the opponents made contact going for the ball, Balogun's cleat went down the leg of Bosnia's defender and onto his foot.

The VAR "believed Balogun was dangerous in his play and recommended the referee visit the pitchside monitor to review," ESPN reported .

The team then had to play with just 10 men following the penalty for the remaining 36 minutes of regulation and 10 of stoppage time. Despite being down a player, the U.S. doubled their lead to win 2-0.

Longtime referee Andy Davies, who has operated using VAR in the Premier League, told ESPN "Balogun can feel unfortunate to be red carded in this situation as, in my opinion, this was not a red card offense."

Davies said that although it looked bad in slow motion, the action "was purely accidental and an unfortunate result from two players challenging for possession of the ball in a normal football movement."

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters after the match that Balogun was "sad" and "disappointed" in the locker room, according to ESPN.

"For me, never is it a red card -- Never was there intention to step on the player," Pochettino said. "If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?"

According to the FIFA World Cup 26 regulations , "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match."

Unlike club football such as in the English Premier League or UEFA Champions League, a red card decision made in the World Cup cannot be overturned on appeal by a team.

U.S. Soccer told ABC News "there is no mechanism for appeal."

According to ESPN , Pochettino was informed the U.S. would not be able to appeal the decision and a spokesperson for U.S. Soccer said if the ban is more than one game, it would appeal the suspension.

Teammate and midfielder Weston McKennie told reporters after the match that "in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it's a bit bogus."

Balogun's first half goal marked his team-high third of the tournament and 11th overall.

The U.S. will face Belgium on July 6 in Seattle marking the fourth appearance in the Round of 16 in their last four World Cup appearances.

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