Balogun Red Card: Can USMNT Appeal Belgium Ban?

Folarin Balogun’s World Cup campaign hangs by a thread after a 64th‑minute red card triggered an automatic one‑match suspension, leaving the USMNT scrambling to decide between a risky appeal or reshaping their attack for the Belgium round‑of‑16 clash. The dismissal occurred late in the group stage finale, immediately putting Balogun’s availability for the knockout round in jeopardy. Under standard tournament regulations, a red card carries a mandatory one‑game ban, which would sideline the striker precisely when the USMNT faces Belgium.

The timing is brutal; Balogun has established himself as the team's sharpest attacking threat throughout the tournament, and his absence would force a significant tactical pivot. The federation now has a narrow window to file paperwork challenging the decision, though successful appeals for straight red cards are historically rare in international competition. The stakes are incredibly high, as losing the primary goal scorer changes the entire geometry of the American attack.