Why can’t the Folarin Balogun red card be overturned? FIFA World Cup appeal rules
The USMNT striker opened the scoring against Bosnia and Herzegovina but was sent off for a controversial second-half decision.
The United States will be without star striker Folarin Balogun for the round of 16 game against Belgium after he was shown a red card in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The USMNT powered to an impressive 2-0 win over Bosnia, the team’s first World Cup knockout win since 2002. Balogun opened the scoring the the co-hosts but was sent off early in the second half after a controversial refereeing decision.
He will receive a one-game suspension after a VAR check convinced referee Raphael Claus that the challenge constituted “serious foul.” In club soccer, Balogun’s red card could be appealed after the game in a bid to avoid the ban. But that will not be an option this summer.
The Athletic reports that there is no mechanism to appeal a red card at the World Cup. FIFA’s guidelines state: “A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”
Balogun has been one of the USMNT’s top performers at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals across three appearances. He will now be suspended for the crucial round of 16 game against Belgium, a major blow for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
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