2026 World Cup: USMNT striker Folarin Balogun shown red card in second half after first-half goal

The U.S. men’s national team finished its World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night with only 10 players. After putting the United States up 1-0 in the first half with an impressive goal, striker Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card in the second half after committing a foul. This play is being reviewed for a potential red card against the US pic.twitter.com/EdyPpgpycA — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 Balogun missed the remainder of this match and will also not be allowed to play in the Round of 16 game against Belgium due to the decision. The U.S. striker was trying to go for the ball but ended up landing on his opponent's foot. In real time, it looked bad, but maybe not red-card worthy. Slowed down, which the broadcast said was the replay that VAR was using, it looked bad and resulted in Balogun getting sent off. Folarin Balogun is shown a red card and the US is down to 10 players. pic.twitter.com/mLxzhbGD8N — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 He had been the hero for the United States in the first half. It looked like Balogun had scored an early goal to put the U.S. up, but it was waved off because he was offside. The striker wasn't dismayed and ended up netting a 45th-minute goal to put the U.S. up just before halftime. THE @USMNT TAKES THE LEAD 🇺🇸 NOW BALOGUN CAN REALLY HIT THE @KingJames SILENCER! pic.twitter.com/4t9LzMjUUG — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 2, 2026 Balogun made infamous history with his ejection. He is just the fourth player to ever score a goal and then get a red card in the same World Cup knockout stage match. The U.S. striker joins a list that includes France's Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final, Brazil's Ronaldinho in the 2002 quarterfinals and Brazil's Garrincha in the 1962 semifinals. Balogun is also the fifth USMNT player to ever receive a red card in a World Cup, and the first since 2006. Without their starting striker, the United States benefited from a game-sealing goal from Malik Tillman in the 82nd minute to secure the 2-0 victory and advance. The U.S. will play Belgium on Monday in Seattle, but without Balogun.