Folarin Balogun wrongly red-carded due to protocol error but USA still can’t appeal controversial decision

The United States Men’s National Team have advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, but at what cost?

Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman both got on the scoresheet for the U.S. as they secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Getty

However, Mauricio Pochettino‘s side will play their Round of 16 game against Belgium, who came from two goals behind to win 3-2 over Senegal in extra time, without Balogun.

This comes after their talismanic striker was brandished a straight red card near the hour mark for a nasty-looking challenge – when the tape is slowed down – on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

It’s a huge loss for the Stars and Stripes, with the 24-year-old AS Monaco striker having been one of their standout players of the tournament with three goals in four games.

He was also one of the best players on the pitch against Bosnia, and was one of just two players to receive a rating over 7/10 in talkSPORT’s player ratings, receiving a 9/10, just behind Tillman who earned a 10/10.

“It’s a hard one to take to be honest with you,” captain Tim Ream said of Balogun’s red card to talkSPORT’s USMNT correspondent Ben Jacobs.

“He’s been bumped. He’s gone in for a ball that’s been bouncing. They both make contact, and he’s got to put his foot somewhere. It’s not like he’s looking to step on the back of somebody. It’s unfortunate the way it all played out.”

“He’s obviously disappointed, as anyone would be. But it’s not a problem. We got the job done for him out there, and we’ll look to do the same in the next game and give him another opportunity to play.”

But the VAR process which led to Balogun’s sending off has been brought into contention.

VAR misapplied protocol in lead up to Balogun red card decision

According to former Select Group referee Andy Davies, the VAR protocol was mis-applied due to having recommended the on-field referee – who in this match was Raphael Claus – visit the pitchside monitor to review for a possible red card based on stills and slowed-down replays.

“Balogun can feel unfortunate to be red carded in this situation as, in my opinion, this was not a red card offense,” Davies wrote.

Getty

Getty

“With both players challenging for ball, the contact from Balogun on Muharemovic, while it looked bad in slow motion, was purely accidental and an unfortunate result from two players challenging for possession of the ball in a normal football movement.

“VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation.

“Once at the screen, however, it would have been a surprise if the referee did not send off Balogun considering the pictures he was presented by VAR.”

So why do the USMNT not just appeal to FIFA over the misapplied protocols?

The reality is that they can’t.

According to Jacobs though, there is a way that the nation could look to try and get the red card rescinded via appeal, although it is a long-winded process and is one that the U.S. Soccer Federation likely won’t go down.

“There’s real sympathy and sadness for Flo Balogun. A very harsh red card, especially when you consider other similar incidents, including Messi against Algeria,” Jacobs exclusively told talkSPORT.

“FIFA regulations say that there is no appeal process. Some sources say that there is a creative route through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

“But basically, the FIFA regulations don’t allow for an appeal so he is expected to miss the Belgium game.”

While VAR has relatively remained out of the headlines, as Jacobs alluded to, one incident that has continued to dominate the discourse around VAR at the World Cup is the no-call on Lionel Messi.

In Argentina’s Group Stage opener against Algeria, Messi committed a foul very similar to that of Balogun’s on Wednesday, where the Argentine superstar went studs up into a challenge from behind on Aissa Mandi, which went right down the back of his calf.

A free kick was given by the referee, but the 39-year-old not only escaped a VAR review for serious foul play, but he didn’t even receive a yellow card for the incident.

The 39-year old then went on to score a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory for La Albiceleste, while all Algeria could do was lodge a complaint.

‘One rule for Messi, another rule for everybody else’ is the narrative that continues to build at this World Cup, and the Balogun red-card is just another piece of evidence that can be used as fuel for that fire.

Stay up to date with the World Cup across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.

All 104 games at the 2026 World Cup will be live on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app.