# USA vs Belgium: Balogun Red Card Controversy Rocks US World Cup Campaign
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, and the United States Men’s National Team finds itself in the middle of a major controversy. After a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32, the USMNT’s leading scorer, **Folarin Balogun**, was shown a controversial red card that has the entire American sports world buzzing.
## What Happened?
In the second half of Wednesday’s match, Balogun stepped on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic while both players approached the ball. The referee deemed it a red-card offense, ejecting Balogun from the match — and more importantly, suspending him for the USA’s upcoming Round of 16 clash against **Belgium on Monday, July 6**.
US head coach **Mauricio Pochettino** was furious. “That was a normal action in football,” Pochettino said. “That happened by accident and it’s never intentional. That is why for me it was never a red card.”
## NFL Stars React
The red card drew reactions from some of America’s biggest sports celebrities:
– **Robert Griffin III** (Fox Sports analyst / former NFL QB) posted on X: *”USA has its best chance to win a World Cup and a bogus Red Card is given to our best player to keep him out of the next game in the Round of 16? THEY DON’T WANT TO SEE US WIN AND HAVE TO CALL IT SOCCER.”*
– **Patrick Mahomes** (3x Super Bowl champion): *”Come on!!”*
– **Dirk Nowitzki** (NBA legend): *”That’s not a red!!!”*
– **JJ Watt** (NFL legend): *”Announcers should definitely be informing the audience that Balogun will miss next match… Massive, massive implications there. Huge loss.”*
## What This Means for the USA
Balogun has been the USMNT’s most dangerous attacking threat this tournament. Losing him for the Belgium match is a massive blow. The Americans will need to rely on Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and the rest of the squad to step up against a highly talented Belgian side featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
The USA has never reached the World Cup semifinals in the modern era, and this squad — led by Pochettino — was widely considered the best chance in a generation. Now they’ll have to do it without their top scorer.
## Upcoming Key Matches
| Match | Date | Stage |
|——-|——|——-|
| Norway vs Brazil | July 5 | Round of 16 |
| **USA vs Belgium** | **July 6** | **Round of 16** |
| Spain vs Austria | July 4 | Round of 32 |
| Germany vs Japan | July 5 | Round of 16 |
| **World Cup Final** | **July 19** | MetLife Stadium, NJ |
## FAQ
### Will Balogun miss the Belgium match?
Yes. The red card carries an automatic one-match suspension, which means Balogun will not play in the Round of 16 against Belgium on July 6.
### Can the USA win without Balogun?
It’s an uphill battle. Belgium is one of the tournament favorites with world-class talent throughout the squad. The USMNT will need a collective effort and possibly a tactical reshuffle from Pochettino.
### When is the World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played on **July 19** at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, temporarily rebranded as New York/New Jersey Stadium.
### Where can I watch the matches?
All matches are broadcast on Fox Sports in the US. Check your local listings for exact times.
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## Final Verdict
The Balogun red card is a devastating turn of events for the USMNT. Whether you believe it was a harsh call or a justified decision, the reality is the same: the USA enters its toughest test of the tournament without its best striker. This Sunday’s match against Belgium just got a whole lot more interesting.
🇺🇸 **Come on USA!**
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases. If you’re gearing up for the World Cup, check out our [guide to the best TVs for watching sports](https://blog.pcmasterdeals.com/best-tv-for-ps5-gaming/) and [top gaming headsets for the big game atmosphere](https://blog.pcmasterdeals.com/best-gaming-headset-under-100/).*