The Balogun red card is the story of the round — and English fans will watch it with a strange sense of what might have been. Folarin Balogun, the Arsenal academy graduate who chose the USA over England in 2023, scored to help send the hosts into the World Cup 2026 last 16, then got himself sent off in the same match. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will face Belgium in the last 16, and they will have to do it without their number nine.
Scorer and sent off: Balogun’s day of extremes
Balogun scored the goal that helped push the USA into the last 16, then received a red card that rules him out of the Belgium tie through automatic suspension. For the tournament hosts, it is the worst possible trade: progression secured, talisman lost.
Twenty-one days into the tournament, the USA have now negotiated four of the eight matches standing between them and a first World Cup title. The dismissal, though, turns a statement win into a nervous wait for the biggest game in the programme so far.
The striker England let slip away
Balogun’s story stings in England. Born in New York but raised in London, he came through Arsenal’s academy and played for England at youth level, right up to the Under-21s. In May 2023, with a senior Three Lions call still not forthcoming, he committed to the United States instead.
His breakout came on loan at Reims in 2022-23, when he scored 21 Ligue 1 goals — enough to earn a move to Monaco that summer. Three years on, he is leading the line for a World Cup host nation in the knockout rounds. Thomas Tuchel’s England never got the chance to find out what he could do in white.
USA vs Belgium: a rematch 12 years in the making
The USA meet Belgium in the last 16 in a repeat of their 2014 World Cup knockout tie in Brazil, which Belgium won 2-1 after extra time despite a record 15 saves from goalkeeper Tim Howard.
This time the Americans have home advantage and packed stadiums behind them. What they will not have is Balogun. Against a Belgian side with knockout pedigree, that absence could decide the tie.
“Why not us?” — Pochettino’s audacious bet
“Why not us?” That is the question Pochettino posed back in March when asked about the USA lifting a first World Cup on home soil on 19 July. It has become the squad’s battle cry and even hangs on a motivational poster in his office.
The former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss has built genuine belief around the host nation. Four matches now separate the USA from footballing immortality. The first, against Belgium, arrives without their most dangerous forward — and that is where Pochettino’s project faces its truest test yet.
FAQ
Why did Balogun get a red card?
Folarin Balogun was sent off in the win that put the USA into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup — the same match in which he scored. The red card triggers an automatic suspension for the next game.
Will Balogun play against Belgium?
No. His red card carries an automatic ban of at least one match, so the Monaco striker misses the last-16 tie against Belgium.
Why does Balogun play for the USA and not England?
Balogun was born in New York and raised in London, playing for England up to Under-21 level. In May 2023, without a senior England cap, he switched his allegiance to the United States.
Have the USA and Belgium met at a World Cup before?
Yes. Belgium beat the USA 2-1 after extra time in the 2014 World Cup round of 16 in Brazil, a match remembered for Tim Howard’s record 15 saves.
Can the USA win the 2026 World Cup?
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s motto is ‘Why not us?’ The hosts have won four of the eight matches needed to lift the trophy, with the final set for 19 July 2026 — but losing Balogun for the Belgium tie is a major blow.
🏆 AI Analysis – World Cup 2026
Mysports AI uses advanced data models to deliver the best odds, dark horse analysis and betting tips.
Get predictions