By: Hannah Vore
Publication Date: July 6, 2026
The Incident & Original Ruling
During the World Cup's round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, US Men's National Team (USMNT) striker Folarin Balogun received a red card.
No call was made until after a video assistant referee (VAR) reviewed a collision between Bosnia and Herzegovina's defender Tarik Muharemovic and Balogun. According to the review, he dragged his cleat down the back of Muharemovic's leg and foot.
VAR determined the challenge constituted serious foul play when the replays showed Muharemovic's ankle buckling under contact from him when both players challenged for the ball. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus was the one to hold up the red card after watching the review.
Controversy Over the Call
Over the past few days the call has sparked widespread controversy.
"Never was there intention to step on the player. If the intention is to damage the opponent, okay, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?" said Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT head coach.
Andy Davies, a former Select Group referee, believes it was not a red card offense and was purely accidental. He explained that VAR recommended the referee watch the replay based on slow-motion and still replays which do not align with VAR protocols. According to Davies, VAR should only be used for point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation.
"If you played the game, you would understand there's scenarios that you simply can't avoid and it has to be taken into context when it's being reviewed," Balogun said.
Appeal Denied, Then Reversed
According to Article 66.4 of FIFA's disciplinary code, red cards result in a one-match suspension. ESPN writer Mark Ogden announced on July 2 that FIFA regulations denied USMNT's appeal. That meant Balogun would miss the round-of-16 match against Belgium.
The suspension appeared final until FIFA unexpectedly changed its decision several days later. On July 5, FIFA announced that Balogun would be allowed to play in the match against Belgium on Monday and would instead receive probation for one year.
Controversy Over the Final Decision
This decision was made some time after President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card incident.
"All I did, I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul," Trump told reporters on Monday.
FIFA has faced significant backlash, first from the decision to card him in the first place and suspend him for one game, then from the decision to allow him to play. According to Ogden, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is "astonished" by the decision.
"I didn't know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first of April – it's April Fools' [Day]," Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia said.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken also spoke up about the decision in a press conference Sunday.
"I think that's a big mistake by FIFA; it's not a great conclusion. He has got a red card, VAR concluded it was a red card, and he was sent off, so that means you are suspended for one game," said Solbakken.
As relieved as USMNT and its fans are to have Balogun back for the match, it is not a great look for FIFA.
"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," the Union of European Football Associations said in a statement.
Unfortunately for the USMNT, if they advance past Belgium in Monday's match, the controversy will most likely continue.
"What if Balogun scores the winner against Belgium on Monday? How will the rest of the world remember it now?" wrote ESPN senior writer Sam Borden.