2026 World Cup red card rules explained: How it works, suspension unavoidable for USA's Folarin Balogun

· Yahoo Sports

Star striker Folarin Balogun is set to miss the USMNT's next game at the 2026 World Cup after he was shown a straight red card and sent off in the Americans' 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday.

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Balogun is the USA's leading scorer at this summer's World Cup with three goals so far, but now they will have to win the biggest game in program history without him.

"He's disappointed," head coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the game. "He's sad because it wasn't his intention, but he's also happy because we qualified."

What are the World Cup red card suspension rules?

Anytime a player is shown a red card, they will be sent off for the remainder of that game and suspended for their team's next game as well. However, instances of violent conduct will result in a three-game ban.

What are the new yellow card rules at this World Cup?

Because of the expanded field and one extra knockout round, players' yellow card counts will be rest twice during the 2026 World Cup — essentially every three games, after the group stage and after the quarterfinals. If a player collects two yellow cards during any three-game period, they will be given a one-game ban for yellow card accumulation.

Can Folarin Balogun appeal his red card to have it overturned?

No, the USMNT cannot appeal Balogun's red card and subsequent suspension. He is officially ineligible to play against Belgium. If he had been sent off for violent conduct, it would have been an appealable decision, but because it was for "serious foul play," it is not. Serious foul play is defined as "a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality."

FIFA's rulebook states that "if a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."

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