World Cup 2026: US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game red card ban suspended by Fifa
Among those demanding a review of the decision was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Asked at a press conference about the USA’s World Cup performance, Rubio said: “It was great. They screwed up with that red card.”
“There needs to be an appeals process for this. It’s probably too late for that.”
More broadly in the US, the red card for one of their star players caused great upset among their fans. Many media outlets questioned the decision and the way football enforced its rules, such as having to leave the field of play after a red card and being banned from a later match.
Balogun became a key figure for the United States at the World Cup, scoring twice for Mauricio Pochettino’s team, starting with a 4-1 victory against Paraguay.
The former Arsenal striker also scored the first goal against Bosnia and was sent off with a red card in the 64th minute after a fight with Muharemovic for the ball.
As Balogun tried to protect the ball, Muharemovic managed to get in front of him, and as the striker’s boot returned to the ground, it hit the back of the Bosnian’s ankle, causing it to bend.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed the red card after the video assistant referee (VAR) was sent to a pitchside monitor to watch a super slow-motion replay of the incident.
According to FIFA rules, a red card “means automatic suspension from the next match” but the governing body “may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures”.
In the group stages of the tournament, Qatari midfielder Assim Madibo’s one-match suspension was increased to five games for a foul on Canadian Ismael Kone, who suffered a broken leg.
But there is recent precedent with FIFA suspending its World Cup ban.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to play in his country’s opening match of the tournament despite receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland during the World Cup qualifiers.
The 41-year-old was sent off and initially given a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifier defeat in November.
However, after the match against Armenia, FIFA suspended the remainder of the ban for one year on 25 November, allowing Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s two World Cup opening matches.
