Celebs react to Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card

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The U.S. men’s national team is set to play in the Round of 16 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the team will be without its best player.

Folarin Balogun was shown a controversial red card early in the second half of Wednesday’s match against Bosnia Herzegovina.

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Christian Pulisic (right) consoles teammate Folarin Balogun after Balogun received a red card Wednesday. REUTERS

There was an outcry from USMNT fans, including celebrities and athletes watching the knockout game, who disagreed with the call.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes chimed in on social media as well as NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki.

Come on!!!!!!!!!!

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 2, 2026

That’s not a red!!!

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— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) July 2, 2026

Former Eagles center Jason Kelce also weighed in on the red card, writing in a post on X: “Man, somebody help me. That foul looked incidental from Balogun, shouldn’t a Red Card be given if there is either intention to foul, or an action that is aggressive and unsafe in nature? Didn’t feel like Balogun was out of control or anything, just looked like it kind of happened.”

Man, somebody help me. That foul looked incidental from Balogun, shouldn’t a Red Card be given if there is either intention to foul, or an action that is aggressive and unsafe in nature? Didn’t feel like Balogun was out of control or anything, just looked like it kind of…

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) July 2, 2026

There were also several other reactions from athletes and sports analysts, once again reiterating the decision to give Balogun a red card was incorrect and perhaps unfair.

Red card is insane man!

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— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) July 2, 2026

This is why FIFA sucks. Terrible call. Two guys collide going for the ball. Changes the course of the game on a replay. Not even a yellow initially. Terrible call.

— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) July 2, 2026

Announcers should definitely be informing the audience that Balogun will miss next match, assuming we win tonight.

Massive, massive implications there.

Huge loss.

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— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 2, 2026

The second absolutely absurd VAR decision of the day in the World Cup, completely unnecessarily sending Balogun off for

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, after

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got screwed on the penalty call nobody asked for.

Neither call reflected the spirit of the game in the least.

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— Mike Trudell (@MikeTrudell) July 2, 2026

WEAK

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 2, 2026

Hey @FIFAcom where was VAR on this?! https://t.co/xN0wMh8Qv1pic.twitter.com/UTVaDsHsMY

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) July 2, 2026

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

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 2, 2026

With a man down we scored

2-0 next up Belgium

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— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) July 2, 2026

Who will US play in Round of 16?​

The criticism of the referees’ decision is palpable as the Americans will face Belgium in the Round of 16 without Balogun. The red card is detrimental for the USMNT, whose newfound popularity has given fans a reason to believe the squad can have much success in the 2026 World Cup.

Thus far, that has proven to be the case.

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U.S. soccer fans react after Balogun received a red card Wednesday. REUTERS

Belgium will present a huge test for Team USA without its top player.

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