Folarin Balogun shouldn’t have been red carded, USMNT teammates claim

SANTA CLARA, CA — Weston McKennie saw replays of Folarin Balogun’s red card and deemed the decision “questionable.”

Tyler Adams agreed, saying that it was, in his opinion, only a yellow card.

It was an eventful evening for Balogun, who scored the opener just before halftime, then saw his night end early in the 64th minute when he stepped on Tarik Muharemović‘s ankle. The challenge, while inadvertent, saw the striker step on the Bosnian defender’s ankle in painful fashion.

Ater a VAR review, Balogun was off. On the night, losing the striker barely phased the USMNT, which defended stoutly with 10 men. Malik Tillman scored an 82nd-minute free kick, and the U.S. comfortably saw out a 2-0 win.

The United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in the World Cup Round of 32 with a place in the next stage at stake.

See moments from the match as the knockout rounds continue and the pressure rises.

Above, Fans of the United States show their support before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

<1 / 6

The United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in the World Cup Round of 32 with a place in the next stage at stake.

See moments from the match as the knockout rounds continue and the pressure rises.

Above, Fans of the United States show their support before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

<2 / 6

Nikola Katic of Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

<3 / 6

General view outside the stadium as fans arrive at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

<4 / 6

<5 / 6

<6 / 6

But moving forward, losing Balogun is a blow. He’ll at least have to sit out the round of 16 game against Belgium, and could face further discipline from FIFA.

For McKennie, it wasn’t just the decision to send Balogun off that was frustrating, but the lack of consistency from referees at the World Cup.

“I think it’s questionable,” McKennie said of the red card decision. “I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all, so it’s disappointing.

“I don’t think it’s a red card, if anything maybe a yellow, but (it was) unintentional.”

McKennie didn’t mention him by name, but he was likely thinking of Argentina star Lionel Messi, who wasn’t punished at all for a similar challenge on an Algeria player in their World Cup opener.

When asked his opinion on the call, Adams gave a very Adams answer.

“You’re asking the wrong person with how I tackle, do you know what I mean?” Adams said with a laugh before continuing on cautiously.

“I think it’s a yellow card. I think when you slow everything down, it is always going to look worse. I don’t want to say too much.”

When it comes to having Balogun for the Belgium game, there isn’t much the USMNT can do other than complain.

Per World Cup regulations, teams can only appeal a red card if FIFA decides to add a suspension beyond one game. According to McKennie, that rule is another injustice for his teammate.

“I think in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it’s a bit bogus,” McKennie said.