1 of 5 | Forward Folarin Balogun (L), the United States’ top scorer at the 2026 World Cup, is ineligible for the Round of 16 due to a red card he earned in a win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
United States players remain confident for a World Cup Round of 16 meeting with Belgium, despite losing Folarin Balogun to a red card suspension.
The Americans sounded off about the ban after they took out No. 61 Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday for their first knockout stage win since 2002. Balogun was crucial in making that happen, with a team-leading three goals at the 2026 World Cup, including the first of Wednesday’s 2-0 triumph in Santa Clara, Calif.
Now, coach Mauricio Pochettino will be tasked with replacing the striker against the Americans’ toughest foe thus far, No. 9 Belgium.
“Of course he is a great player,” midfielder Malik Tillman told reporters at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. “He is our top scorer so far. Of course we are going to miss him, but we have great players who can replace him and give the best they can and hopefully score some goals for us as well.”
The No. 15 Americans are in uncharted territory, with the most wins (three) they’ve ever secured at a men’s World Cup. Another triumph would likely land them in a quarterfinal quarrel with No. 3 Spain or No. 8 Portugal, who are favored in their Round of 32 matches and could meet in the Round of 16.
Balogun, who used his velvet touch to bring the ball close before a stellar finish in the 45th minute of Wednesday’s match, was ejected in the 64th. The red card, which carries an automatic one-match ban, cannot be appealed. Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Haji Wright and Alejandro Zendejas are among the other forwards on the U.S. roster, behind Balogun and Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic was among several American players who said they did not see the sequence which led to Balogun’s dismissal in the Round of 32. Pochettino said Balogun had no intention to land his boot on the right ankle of Bosnian center back Tarik Muharemovic, triggering the call.
But the coach also said he was proud of how his players reacted — showcasing composure and emotional control — despite being forced to play with 10 men against their foes’ 11 for more than a half hour.
“That was the moment to show to everyone and show ourselves that it’s not empty words when we say we are a family,” Pochettino said. “The team showed the qualities and the capacity to compete and to fight for each other. So proud for the players. They are the heroes.”
Defender Chris Richards said he thinks the team will remain strong despite Balogun’s absence. He compared the trial to when the Americans were forced to play without Pulisic earlier in the tournament.
“One man is down, the next guy steps up,” Richards said. “I think people were asking the same question when Christian went down and the next guy stepped up. We are definitely a team. We are more than one player. We’re more than just 11 players.
“Everybody who came on also did their job. I’m really happy for the result. I’m really for everybody in the federation. Hopefully we can make some more history next round.”
The Americans are half-goal favorites to beat the Belgians, despite Balogun’s absence. The matchup will be held Monday in Seattle and air on Fox. Pochettino and his players expect a physical and tactically-minded approach from their Round of 16 foes, who advanced earlier Wednesday with a 3-2 extra-time triumph over No. 18 Senegal.
“I think they have physical players, but also players who are really skillful and at the top of their game,” Richards said. “We are ultimately expecting a tough game against a really tough European opponent. People have spoken about us against Europeans and we broke the streak [10 consecutive losses], so maybe it’s our turn to start a new streak.”
Richards gave credit to the crowd in Santa Clara for providing energy throughout the match. American fans serenaded the team with chants and their customary celebration song, “Country Roads,” after the victory.
Pochettino said Balogun was “very disappointed,” but happy about Wednesday’s triumph. He can again aid the U.S. attack if his teammates upstage the Belgians. A win would make Balogun available for a July 10 quarterfinal in Inglewood, Calif.
“I think this game showed our character,” Tillman said. “We will always keep on fighting, keep on giving everything.”
The United States and Belgium will meet at 8 p.m. EDT Monday at Seattle Stadium. Spain will face Austria in a Round of 32 match at 3 p.m. Thursday in Inglewood. Portugal will battle Croatia at 7 p.m. in Toronto.
Switzerland and Algeria will meet in Thursday’s nightcap at 11 p.m. in Vancouver.
Fans go all out in support at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Fans of Team Japan show their support before the start of a FIFA World Cup match against Brazil in Houston on June 29, 2026. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
