Folarin Balogun received a red card and subsequent suspension during the U.S. men's national team's 2-0 [1] victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The incident occurred during the knockout round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday. Because the U.S. is advancing in the tournament, the availability of a key forward like Balogun for the next match is critical to their championship hopes.

Former U.S. player Taylor Twellman said the red card and the resulting suspension were the result of VAR misuse. Twellman said the U.S. has the option to appeal the suspension to get the player back on the pitch.

Balogun was sent off early in the second half [2] of the match. While the U.S. maintained their lead to secure the 2-0 [1] win, the dismissal has sparked significant debate among analysts and fans regarding officiating standards in the tournament.

Twellman's criticism focuses on the protocol used by the Video Assistant Referee to overturn or confirm the on-field decision. Some commentary surrounding the event has suggested a double standard in how rules are applied to different star players during the knockout stages.

The U.S. team must now decide whether to lodge a formal appeal with FIFA to overturn the disciplinary action before their next scheduled fixture.

“the red card and the resulting suspension were the result of VAR misuse”

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between traditional officiating and the implementation of VAR in high-stakes knockout matches. If the U.S. successfully appeals Balogun's suspension, it preserves their offensive depth; however, a failed appeal forces the coaching staff to restructure their attack for the next round of the 2026 World Cup.