Month: July 2026

In the United States’ round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, striker Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović’s ankle. That red-card decision by referee Rafael Claus — VAR reviewed Balogun’s challenge — dropped the USA to 10 men for the duration of the game and leaves the team without Balogun for the round of 16 match against Belgium. It was a controversial call that will keep one of the Stars and Stripes’ top goalscorers sidelined in a match with a quarterfinals berth on the line. The big question is: Is there a red card appeal process that can retract Balogun’s one-game suspension? Simply, no. FIFA regulations (Article 9, Section 6) states that: “No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code.” Furthermore, FIFA regulations (Article 10, Section 6) adds: “If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card [second caution], they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.” What choice does U.S. Soccer have, if any? It could appeal any decision, but because this was a subjective referee decision — rather than a factually incorrect one, like a red card for contact when there clearly was none — FIFA will not consider it under its disciplinary code. However, if FIFA feels Balogun’s challenge merits more than a one-game suspension and hands it down, then the U.S. could appeal that decision. Regardless, Balogun will sit out the round of 16 game against Belgium. “The problem with this is that FIFA sets such a high bar, especially when it’s a VAR intervention. It’s not clearly [factually] wrong by the referee,” FOX Sports analyst and former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg said on World Cup NOW. “And, if they deem [Balogun’s] challenge sufficient, they can upgrade this card from a one-match to anything they decide.” Was The Red Card The Right Call? Clattenburg explained what happened in the play from his perspective. “When I watched this in real speed, I thought it was a coming together of two players,” Clattenburg noted on World Cup NOW. “What you see is Balogun’s challenge does catch his opponent on the back of the leg, and when [his foot] comes down, it catches [Muharemović’s] ankle. The problem is, the requirement of the red card [means there] has to be some speed, some force and some malice. This lacks that.” He further explained why he disagrees with Balogun’s red card. “But what it does have is,” Clattenburg continued, “it endangers the safety of the opponent because of that foot-on-foot challenge, which could’ve acted and ended with a broken ankle. However, in my opinion, this didn’t endanger the safety of the opponent. Balogun doesn’t even look for the foul. It was an accidental challenge, and this doesn’t reach the [requirements] of a red card.” Due to the nature of the process, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will still review the challenge and decide what comes next for Balogun — specifically, more than a one-match suspension. For Clattenburg, Balogun’s challenge did not seem worthy of a red card, or further consequences of a multi-game punishment. “FIFA disciplinary will look at this challenge [Thursday], and if they deem this a dangerous challenge which could have endangered the safety of this opponent, they can upgrade it,” Clattenburg said. “I doubt it, in my opinion, because I believe that this was an accident, and they believe it was worthy of a red card. And that’s where they steer the red card. It should not be upgraded.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

While this World Cup has been a lot of fun to follow for the USA, this journey is about this group. It’s a thing of beauty, and it’s not even finished. So many more people are hopping on this train right now. It was incredible to see these players being serenaded with the love they received. It’s well-deserved. Keep making us proud. For now, 10s across the board. Here are my player ratings from Wednesday night. Starting XI He made the saves he was supposed to make and kept a clean sheet. He hasn’t had that one “oh my god” save that he’s had to make, but he’s made the ones that he’s had to. There was a little blip and rush of blood to the head late in the game, but we’ll take a clean sheet every day. The backline as a unit was phenomenal. They handled the early siege of half-chances from Bosnia and Herzegovina very well. They were warriors against the ball, especially in the second half after the red card. Another really responsible performance from the USA backline. We have endless funds in the “ATM” machine. Tyler has been an unsung hero. He does all the dirty work and patrols the midfield so well. In a game that was as scrappy as it was, with so much of the play getting disrupted by choppy fouls, he remained extremely composed. Weston delivered another all-around top performance. His endless running beyond the back line is just epic. And then there’s Malik. Malik can take this free kick maybe 30 times, and maybe he makes one. The top, top players deliver that one in the most crucial moment. We’ve seen the best of Tillman in tournaments. We saw him flourish at the Gold Cup last year with a consistent run of games. It has been the same thing with this World Cup. He’s found such great balance alongside Wes and Tyler. Also, the fact that no one received a yellow card in that game is incredible and a great sign moving forward. Overall, I thought these three were dangerous. I think they can constantly cause problems when they get on the ball. They’re always looking to go one-on-one against defenders. Balo’s running off the ball was causing problems. We probably didn’t feed him as much as we needed to, but he’s a consistent workhorse. His appetite to be aggressive is golden. For his reward, he got his goal because of his work up front on the counterpress. I’m not going to fault Flo for the red card. It’s unfortunate the way that their feet came together and that he stamped on his foot. Obviously, it sucks that he’s going to miss the next game, but that red card isn’t going to impact my ratings.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Two goals, a red card and a 24-year-old streak broken — and that was just in the United States’ first knockout stage match of the tournament. Between that and two more unforgettable comeback wins from England and Belgium, it was a day at the World Cup to remember. Here’s the best of Match Day 21 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Moment Of The Day Down a man and with a trip to the round of 16 on the line, the USA found a hero in Malik Tillman. The USA found itself up on Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 thanks to Folarin Balogun’s first-half goal in round of 32 action, but the second half became tense after Balogun was given a red card. In the 82nd minute, Tillman threaded a free kick over Bosnia’s wall. A huge moment after Balogun’s red card had left the U.S. on its heels. A huge way to respond to seal the win and ensure that the USA would win its first knockout game since 2002. It’s now on to Seattle and a date with Belgium with a quarterfinals spot on the line. Goal Of The Day England needed someone to step up in the second half against DR Congo, and it’s no surprise who did. The Three Lions’ all-time-leading goalscorer bagged the equalizer in the 75th minute on a header, and then he scored a banger in the 86th to win the game. Both goals were assisted by substitute Anthony Gordon, whose pass for the second goal put Kane at the top of the 18-yard box. There was work to do from there, though, and the England captain created space and unleashed an unstoppable effort that not even DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi could stop amidst an impressive performance. (More on that later.) Assist Of The Day Kane will deservedly get all the headlines following his heroic performance against DR Congo, but Gordon’s lobbed cross was exactly where it needed to be on Kane’s first goal, and that assist ultimately sparked England’s comeback. Gordon assisted on both of Harry Kane’s goals, becoming the first England player in World Cup history to be directly involved in more than one goal as a substitute. Save Of The Day Mpasi had an eventful first half, from preserving DR Congo’s lead with multiple impressive saves to almost conceding a penalty. Mpasi’s best save came when Jude Bellingham came flying in for a header after a cross from midfielder Declan Rice. Mpasi reacted quickly and got his left hand up in time to maintain the 1-0 lead for his country. The save was so impressive that Bellingham even gave Mpasi props moments later. England vs. DR Congo Belgium vs. Senegal USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports