Table of Contents
U.S. men's national team star striker Folarin Balogun will not be available for the World Cup round of 16 game vs. Belgium after getting a red card in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a U.S. Soccer spokesman confirmed.
Balogun, who scored in that 2-0 win, was sent off in the 64th minute of the second half by referee Rafael Claus after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović's ankle.
United States' Folarin Balogun sent off after VAR review for foul against Bosnia and Herzegovina
A player who receives a red card is automatically dismissed for the rest of that match and must sit out the subsequent match.
That means the U.S. will be without its leading goalscorer at the tournament for a crucial match on Monday against Belgium in Seattle with a quarterfinals spot on the line.
Who Could Replace Balogun?
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has two other striker options in his squad: Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright. Expect either player to get the start with Balogun on the bench.
Pochettino could also go with a dual striker setup with both Pepi and Wright up top.
The other option could be a formation change where star forward Christian Pulisic plays more in a ‘false No. 9’ position where he'll be even more involved in the attack.
UNITED STATES TAKES LEAD 🚨 Folarin Balogun Scores Goal vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
share
recommended
2026 World Cup Odds: USA-Belgium Round Of 16 Match Lands As Pick 'Em
Can The USA Appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup Red Card?
2026 World Cup Bracket: Live Look At The Round Of 16 Matchups
USA vs. Belgium Confirmed For The Round Of 16: Here's What To Know
Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo Keep Round of 32 Action Going At The World Cup
Siesta Is Over: 4 Takeaways As Spain Awakens In Convincing Win Over Austria
Folarin Balogun Joins Exclusive Club With World Cup Goal — And Red Card
Folarin Balogun Receives Red Card In Second Half Against Bosnia And Herzegovina
How 'Country Roads' Became The Soundtrack Of Team USA's World Cup Run
Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right
Item 1 of 3 
Get more from the FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic 
FIFA Men's World Cup 
United States 
Folarin Balogun
NEXT STORY
4 Ways USA Could Replace Suspended Star Striker Folarin Balogun vs. Belgium
recommended
2026 World Cup Odds: USA-Belgium Round Of 16 Match Lands As Pick 'Em
Can The USA Appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup Red Card?
2026 World Cup Bracket: Live Look At The Round Of 16 Matchups
USA vs. Belgium Confirmed For The Round Of 16: Here's What To Know
Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo Keep Round of 32 Action Going At The World Cup
Siesta Is Over: 4 Takeaways As Spain Awakens In Convincing Win Over Austria
Folarin Balogun Joins Exclusive Club With World Cup Goal — And Red Card
Folarin Balogun Receives Red Card In Second Half Against Bosnia And Herzegovina
How 'Country Roads' Became The Soundtrack Of Team USA's World Cup Run
Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right
Item 1 of 3Original Article
