Last Updated on 18 seconds ago by TodayWhy Editorial
US red card World Cup searches spiked overnight after Folarin Balogun was sent off in the second half of the USMNT’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States still won 2-0 and advanced to the Round of 16, but Balogun’s dismissal — and an automatic one-match suspension — has become the bigger story than the result itself. Here’s exactly what happened, why the referee reached for red instead of yellow, and what it means for the USA’s next match.
What happened with the US red card at the World Cup?
The incident came in the 64th minute of Wednesday night’s match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Balogun, who had already given the US a 1-0 lead just before halftime, was challenging Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović for the ball when his right boot came down on the back of Muharemović’s leg and ankle. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially played on, then went to the pitchside monitor for a VAR review before showing Balogun a straight red card for what was described as a serious foul.
Despite playing the final 36 minutes with ten men, the United States held on and extended its lead in the 82nd minute through a Malik Tillman free kick that deflected in off a Bosnian defender, sealing a 2-0 win and a place in the Round of 16.
Why was it ruled a red card and not a yellow?
Under FIFA’s laws of the game, referees can issue a straight red for serious foul play even without malicious intent, if the contact is judged forceful or reckless enough to endanger an opponent. Claus determined that Balogun’s studs made direct, downward contact with Muharemović’s Achilles — the kind of contact officials are instructed to treat as serious foul play regardless of whether the player meant to cause harm.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino disagreed strongly with the call. Speaking to reporters after the match, he said for me, never is it a red card
and argued there was no intention to injure the opponent. Balogun’s teammate Weston McKennie made a similar point, noting that comparable challenges elsewhere in the tournament — including a similar incident involving Lionel Messi against Algeria — went unpunished.
Is this the same type of controversy as other World Cup red cards?
It’s the latest example of a recurring flashpoint at this tournament: incidental-looking studs-down contact during a 50-50 challenge, reviewed in slow motion by VAR. TodayWhy has also explained why covering your mouth can draw a red card under this World Cup’s stricter enforcement standards — part of a broader pattern of decisions this tournament that have surprised players and fans watching in real time versus frame-by-frame replay.
What does the suspension mean for the USA’s next match?
Balogun’s dismissal triggers an automatic one-match suspension under FIFA disciplinary rules, ruling him out of the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. It’s a significant blow: Balogun leads the US with three goals at this World Cup, one shy of Bert Patenaude’s all-time US record of four, set in 1930. Pochettino will need to reshuffle his attack without his top scorer for one of the tournament’s biggest matches so far — part of the wider knockout path the US has already mapped out after topping its group.
Frequently asked questions
Who got the red card for the USA vs Bosnia?
Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute after a VAR review, for a challenge that made studs-down contact with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović’s leg and ankle.
Did the US win despite the sending-off?
Yes. The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 even after playing the final 36 minutes with ten men, advancing to the Round of 16.
Will Balogun play in the next USMNT match?
No. The dismissal carries an automatic one-match suspension, so Balogun will miss the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6 in Seattle.
Was the red card controversial?
Yes. Coach Mauricio Pochettino and several players publicly disagreed with the decision, pointing to similar challenges elsewhere in the tournament that did not result in a card.