Folarin Balogun's sending off in the 64th minute of the United States' World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina will have significant consequences for the team's knockout round. Referee Raphael Claus issued the straight red following a VAR review of Balogun's tackle on Tarik Muharemović's ankle, resulting in a one-game suspension that will sideline the USA's top tournament scorer from Monday's crucial fixture against Belgium.

The red card cannot be overturned due to FIFA's established regulations, which do not permit appeals against automatic suspensions triggered by straight red cards. The United States' only recourse would be if FIFA's disciplinary committee increased Balogun's ban beyond one game, in which case they could appeal for a reduction—though they cannot petition to eliminate the suspension entirely. Precedent from earlier tournament stages shows variable enforcement, as Paraguay's Miguel Almirón was not given an extended suspension for a celebratory gesture, whilst Qatar's Assim Madibo received a five-game ban following a tackle that resulted in serious injury.