‘It’s been surreal’: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun moves on from controversial red card

<ul><li><p>Striker’s one-match ban will not be increased</p></li><li><p>Balogun says yellow card would have been fair</p></li><li><p>Pepi and Wright among options against Belgium</p></li></ul><p>Folarin Balogun fielded questions on the morning of his 25th birthday, though the cards being discussed weren’t filled with kind notes and two-dollar bills.</p><p>Per Fifa rules, the striker was unable to speak to the media following the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/usa-bosnia-and-herzegovina-game-report-world-cup">United States’ World Cup last-32 triumph</a> over Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he opened the scoring in a commanding 2-0 win but was sent off after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/folarin-balogun-red-card-world-cup-appeal-usmnt">receiving a red card</a> in the second half.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/03/folarin-balogun-red-card-suspension-belgium-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>