Folarin Balogun was shown a red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday — but a former referee has concluded that the dismissal was the result of misapplied VAR protocols and should never have stood.

What happened on the pitch

Balogun, who had been a key presence for the USMNT throughout the match, was sent off following a VAR review. The United States held on to secure the win despite finishing the game with ten men, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0.

The officiating error

According to an analysis by a former referee, the Video Assistant Referee process was not correctly applied in the sequence that led to Balogun's dismissal. The protocols governing when and how VAR can intervene to upgrade or initiate a red card decision were misapplied, meaning the sending-off should not have occurred under the laws of the game as they are intended to be enforced.

The case raises serious questions about consistency in officiating at the tournament level, where high-stakes decisions demand precise application of established procedures. A wrongful red card in a World Cup setting carries significant consequences — not only for the result, but for player availability in subsequent fixtures.

Implications for the USMNT

Balogun's red card, if upheld by FIFA's disciplinary committee, could see him suspended for future matches in the competition. The United States' campaign at the World Cup would be affected by the absence of a player who has been central to their attacking play.

The incident adds to a broader conversation about the reliability of VAR at major tournaments, with officials and teams alike calling for greater clarity and uniformity in how the technology is used across different match situations.