USA advance to face Belgium as Balogun suspension clouds last-16 plans

The United States are through to a World Cup last-16 meeting with Belgium, but they will have to play it without Folarin Balogun. The forward scored against Bosnia-Herzegovina before a VAR-reviewed red card triggered an automatic one-match suspension.

Balogun’s dismissal came after contact with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, with referee Raphael Claus reviewing the incident at the monitor before showing red. The decision changes the immediate tactical picture for Mauricio Pochettino, because Balogun had already become one of the USA’s most important attacking figures in the tournament.

The moment also placed Balogun in unusual World Cup company: he was credited as the third American to reach three goals in one edition, and joined a small group of players to both score and be sent off in a knockout match. Any further punishment beyond the Belgium game remains only a possibility and would require FIFA action.

Ricardo Pepi is presented as the leading candidate to step in, though the source notes his recent scoring record has been quiet. For Pochettino, the larger test is whether the squad’s public message of unity can translate into a complete knockout performance against Belgium.