Folarin Balogun Makes His Stance on Controversial World Cup Red Card Known in Return to Instagram
Folarin Balogun Makes His Stance on Controversial World Cup Red Card Known in Return to Instagram
Natasha DyeThu, July 2, 2026 at 5:52 PM UTC
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Folarin Balogun on July 1, 2026Credit: John Todd/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty -
Folarin Balogun subtly reacted to receiving a red card in the United States' World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1
Balogun shared a post on Instagram hours after receiving the red card, which will force him to sit out the U.S.'s next game against Belgium
The U.S. soccer star said, "The war continues," after the United States' win on Wednesday
Folarin Balogun posted a cheeky return to Instagram after his controversial red card in the United States' World Cup win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun, 24, was handed a red card in the 64th minute of the Round of 32 matchup on Wednesday, July 1, after he jumped for the ball and landed on the ankle of Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. Officials deemed the play red card-worthy and Balogun exited the game, leaving the U.S. down to just 10 players.
As a result of the red card, Balogun will be forced to sit out the U.S.'s next matchup in the Round of 16 against Belgium.
Folarin Balogun on July 1, 2026 in the FIFA World CupCredit: Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty
Shortly after the United States' victory on Wednesday, Balogun took to Instagram and shared a pointed post, with no caption — just a photo of him after the game with his hands on his hips and a skeptical look on his face.
In his Instagram Stories, Balogun reshared the photo along with a second from the game, and wrote, "Purple hearts! The war continues 💜💜💜💜💜."
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Balogun's red card shocked viewers and even left some A-list athletes confused. Jason Kelce posted 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."
During the broadcast, Fox referee analyst Mark Clattenburg said he thought it was an "accident" when Balogun stepped on his opponent. "When you watch it in real time, you don't see the ankle twist, and it's just that accident, as Balogun puts his foot down, he catches underneath his opponent's foot. This is just an accident. It happens. You can see he's upset by it. This doesn't meet, for me, the criteria of a red card, and it certainly is going to change the course of the game."
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Patrick Mahomes also questioned the call. "Man what……," the Chiefs quarterback wrote on X.
On Thursday, July 2, ESPN reported that the United States is unable to appeal the red card and Balogun could face an "extended suspension" if FIFA's disciplinary panel decides an additional game suspension is warranted.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
