U.S. Forward Balogun Sent Off for Foul on Defender in 2-0 Win Over Bosnia-Herzegovina

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was shown a red card during the United States' 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup. Balogun was sent off for serious foul play after landing on the ankle of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

VAR reviewed the Balogun incident and determined it warranted a red card based on slow-motion and still-image replays showing impact injury to the Bosnia-Herzegovina defender. ESPN reported that the United States defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in the match from which Balogun was sent off.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi made contact with the back of Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi's calf using his studs during a World Cup match but received no sanction from the referee.

The referee took no action against Messi at the time of the incident with Mandi. VAR did not initiate an on-field review for the Messi-Mandi incident, concluding the level of contact was not forceful enough. Andy Davies, a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons on the elite list, analyzed both incidents in comments published by ESPN on July 2, 2026.

Davies stated that Balogun did not show disregard for the safety of his opponent and that contact occurred within normal football movement. He added that VAR applied slow-motion replays to the Balogun case while determining the Messi contact lacked sufficient force for review.