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It was one of the most shocking calls we've seen in the 2026 World Cup. Folarin Balogun -- who scored the United States' goal in the first half against Bosnia and Herzegovina -- collided with an opponent who went down and looked hurt.
As the foul went to a replay, many fans thought it would be a yellow card at worst given how it seemed incidental and not intentional. But that wasn't the case. Balogun was given a red card, which means he was sent off the pitch and out for the rest of the game. USMNT would have to play with 10 players, and Balogun will be suspended for the United States' next match.
But as many folks pointed out: It didn't look like he stepped unnaturally or made a very intentional foul. It's a VERY controversial call.
As USA TODAY Sports wrote:
Yes. Teams can appeal to FIFA to try to get the suspension rescinded, which would be huge for the United States given how Balogun has been playing and scoring for the USMNT.
BETAAsk USA TODAY anythingHow does the 2026 World Cup reset yellow card accumulations?Why did FIFA change yellow card rules for the 2026 World Cup?Based on your interestsHow did Lionel Mpasi perform in DR Congo's match against England?AI OverviewFull SummaryThe article explains the 2026 World Cup’s updated yellow‑ and red‑card rules, including double yellow‑card resets, new red‑card offenses, and how VAR and suspensions operate during the tournament.Editor's note: Keep up with the USA-Bosnia and Herzegovina game with our live blog, here.Yellow cards can lead to suspensions. Red cards will pull a player off the field mid-game. At the World Cup, soccer’s card system can end a team’s run before the knockout rounds even start. In the first week of the World Cup, several teams have seen them go down a man in a match due to one of their players getting a red card.On June 18, Qatar saw itself go two men down in the second half of its Group B game vs. Canada after Assim Madibo picked up a red card after a tackle made on Ismael Kone, which led the Canadian midfielder suffering a scary injury on the field. Kone's left leg was placed in an air cast and was stretchered off.Ismael Kone injury update: Canadian midfielder suffers horrifying injury in World Cup vs. QatarNEWSLETTER: Sign up to get all the World Cup highlights in your inboxThe red card was Qatar's second of the game, with Homam Ahmed having been sent off in the 31st minute of the first half in Vancouver.So what happens when a player is assessed a yellow or red card? Does it lead to any suspension? Here's what to know as the 2026 World Cup rolls on: What is a yellow card in soccer? A yellow card is a warning. The referee pulls it out to let a player know he has crossed a line. A dirty foul, time wasting, arguing with officials or anything that the referee considers out of line can draw a yellow card. The player does not leave the game. He keeps playing. The card, however, stays on his record and a second one can have more severe consequences.Get the TODAY Californian newsletter in your inbox.Get the best of California, statewide – news, sports, culture and moreDelivery: Mon-FriYour EmailCoaches, substitutes and other bench personnel can also be given yellow cards. How do yellow card accumulations lead to suspensions? A player who gets a second yellow in the same game is immediately sent off, and his team finishes the match with 10 men. A suspension kicks in for the following match, no matter the round. The team plays with a full 11 men, but that specific player is banned from the game. How FIFA is changing yellow card rules for the 2026 World Cup This year’s World Cup expanded from 32 teams to 48, which added an extra round of games. That created a problem. Players had to survive more matches before reaching the semifinals, which meant more chances to pick up a yellow card and trigger a suspension, even if they had done nothing seriously wrong. FIFA introduced a new system to try and fix that. The rulebook now wipes the slate clean twice during the tournament instead of once. Any player carrying a yellow card out of the group stage starts the knockout round fresh. The same reset happens after the quarterfinals, so no one heads into the semifinals with a yellow card hanging over their head. But, if a player collects two yellow cards before either of those cutoffs, he will still serve a one-game suspension in the next game.What is a red card and what happens when a player gets one? A red card means the player is done for the day. His team cannot bring anyone in to replace him. So, for the rest of that game, his team plays with 10 men. He also sits out the team’s next match automatically, no matter what round it is. FIFA’s disciplinary committee then reviews the situation and can add more games to the suspension or issue a fine if the offense was serious enough. A player can get a red card in two ways. He can earn it outright for something serious like a dangerous foul, violent conduct, spitting, biting, offensive language or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why was Folarin Balogun given a red card on VERY questionable call vs. Bosnia?
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As the foul went to a replay, many fans thought it would be a yellow card at worst given how it seemed incidental and not intentional. But that wasn't the case. Balogun was given a red card, which means he was sent off the pitch and out for the rest of the game. USMNT would have to play with 10 players, and Balogun will be suspended for the United States' next match.
But as many folks pointed out: It didn't look like he stepped unnaturally or made a very intentional foul. It's a VERY controversial call.
What are the red card rules in the World Cup?
As USA TODAY Sports wrote:
Can Folarin Balogun appeal his suspension for the red card?
Yes. Teams can appeal to FIFA to try to get the suspension rescinded, which would be huge for the United States given how Balogun has been playing and scoring for the USMNT.
BETAAsk USA TODAY anythingHow does the 2026 World Cup reset yellow card accumulations?Why did FIFA change yellow card rules for the 2026 World Cup?Based on your interestsHow did Lionel Mpasi perform in DR Congo's match against England?AI OverviewFull SummaryThe article explains the 2026 World Cup’s updated yellow‑ and red‑card rules, including double yellow‑card resets, new red‑card offenses, and how VAR and suspensions operate during the tournament.Editor's note: Keep up with the USA-Bosnia and Herzegovina game with our live blog, here.Yellow cards can lead to suspensions. Red cards will pull a player off the field mid-game. At the World Cup, soccer’s card system can end a team’s run before the knockout rounds even start. In the first week of the World Cup, several teams have seen them go down a man in a match due to one of their players getting a red card.On June 18, Qatar saw itself go two men down in the second half of its Group B game vs. Canada after Assim Madibo picked up a red card after a tackle made on Ismael Kone, which led the Canadian midfielder suffering a scary injury on the field. Kone's left leg was placed in an air cast and was stretchered off.Ismael Kone injury update: Canadian midfielder suffers horrifying injury in World Cup vs. QatarNEWSLETTER: Sign up to get all the World Cup highlights in your inboxThe red card was Qatar's second of the game, with Homam Ahmed having been sent off in the 31st minute of the first half in Vancouver.So what happens when a player is assessed a yellow or red card? Does it lead to any suspension? Here's what to know as the 2026 World Cup rolls on: What is a yellow card in soccer? A yellow card is a warning. The referee pulls it out to let a player know he has crossed a line. A dirty foul, time wasting, arguing with officials or anything that the referee considers out of line can draw a yellow card. The player does not leave the game. He keeps playing. The card, however, stays on his record and a second one can have more severe consequences.Get the TODAY Californian newsletter in your inbox.Get the best of California, statewide – news, sports, culture and moreDelivery: Mon-FriYour EmailCoaches, substitutes and other bench personnel can also be given yellow cards. How do yellow card accumulations lead to suspensions? A player who gets a second yellow in the same game is immediately sent off, and his team finishes the match with 10 men. A suspension kicks in for the following match, no matter the round. The team plays with a full 11 men, but that specific player is banned from the game. How FIFA is changing yellow card rules for the 2026 World Cup This year’s World Cup expanded from 32 teams to 48, which added an extra round of games. That created a problem. Players had to survive more matches before reaching the semifinals, which meant more chances to pick up a yellow card and trigger a suspension, even if they had done nothing seriously wrong. FIFA introduced a new system to try and fix that. The rulebook now wipes the slate clean twice during the tournament instead of once. Any player carrying a yellow card out of the group stage starts the knockout round fresh. The same reset happens after the quarterfinals, so no one heads into the semifinals with a yellow card hanging over their head. But, if a player collects two yellow cards before either of those cutoffs, he will still serve a one-game suspension in the next game.What is a red card and what happens when a player gets one? A red card means the player is done for the day. His team cannot bring anyone in to replace him. So, for the rest of that game, his team plays with 10 men. He also sits out the team’s next match automatically, no matter what round it is. FIFA’s disciplinary committee then reviews the situation and can add more games to the suspension or issue a fine if the offense was serious enough. A player can get a red card in two ways. He can earn it outright for something serious like a dangerous foul, violent conduct, spitting, biting, offensive language or denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why was Folarin Balogun given a red card on VERY questionable call vs. Bosnia?
Continue reading...
